The Asia Society Leogryph

One of a pair of leogryphs or guardian lions (male and female). 18th century, Nepal. Bronze. H. 26 x L. 28 in. (66 x 71.1 cm). (Elsa Ruiz)

One of a pair of leogryphs or guardian lions (male and female). 18th century, Nepal. Bronze. H. 26 x L. 28 in. (66 x 71.1 cm). (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)
Elsa Ruiz

Throughout Asia, pairs of guardian lions are depicted flanking the throne of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. A pair of lions also often stand guard outside Buddhist temples, the male on the viewer’s right when approaching the temple and the female on the left. These ferocious creatures are believed to protect the temple and those seeking enlightenment from evil forces.

In the West, these beasts are sometimes referred to as leogryphs, stemming from their hybrid features that combine the physical aspects of a lion and the mythical creature known as a griffin.The Asia Society owns a pair of Nepalese guardian sculptures cast in bronze and dating to the eighteenth century. These leogryphs belonged to the Jacques Marchais Center of Tibetan Art on Staten Island, but since 1960 were on long-term loan to Asia Society. In 1997 the Asia Society acquired them from the Center.

 

The Leogryph and Our Visual Identity  

Since the 1960s, the Asia Society's bronze-cast leogryph sculptures have been a part of our visual identity; their forms have inspired our graphics and logomark. As we looked forward to the 2021 launch of our refreshed brand, we decided to reach back into our archives to see how representations of our beloved leogryph have evolved in our graphic materials over the years. Here’s what we discovered.
 

1960s

leogryph c. 1964
The aristocratic jawline of this circa 1964 free-form sketch lends our earliest leogryph a hint of formality.


 

leogryph circa late 1960s
In the late 1960s, the leogryph began to appear within a circle, which later resurfaced as a key element of our revamped look in 1997. But before the encircled Leo came to be fully realized in our late 1990s logo, his form continued to evolve.

1970s

leogryph c. 1977
This curvy, thick, outline sketch made a brief appearance circa 1977.

1980s

leogryph outline
Based more closely on the forms of our leogryph sculptures and showing off their ornate features, this refined, two-dimensional depiction emerged in the mid-1980s.

1990s

leogryph 1997 rebrand
In 1997, Pentagram re-imagined Asia Society's visual identity, featuring an encircled Leo and a mix of bold colors.

Today

leogryph 2021
Today, nearly a quarter of a century later, Leo’s form — part of our monochromatic logo — has been simplified and modernized to translate better across digital platforms. Liberated from his circle, he leans forward, ready to guide us in our newly articulated purpose: navigating shared futures.