The term “Romanesque” refers to a style that dominated art and architecture in Europe from around 1000 to 1200; it was especially prevalent in churches and ecclesiastical buildings. Romanesque sculpture, such as this lioness, often served as both decorative and supporting elements in architecture. The lioness, for example, supported a column on her back and is thought to have come from one of the side entrances, called the Portal of the Lions, of the Cathedral of San Pietro in Bologna. This doorway is thought to have been carved by Master Pietro di Alberigo, who is also credited with carving the figured capitals of columns in Santo Stefano in Bologna. The Portal of the Lions was dismantled at some point in time, but an extremely similar Lioness with cubs still exists, now in the interior of the Cathedral of San Pietro in Bologna.

This sculpture represents a seated lioness suckling two cubs between her front legs. Parts of the two cubs are missing, as is the lower jaw of the lioness. Several related pieces are now in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.