Aquamanile.
1300-1400
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
An aquamanile was a jug used both in the home and at church for washing hands ('aqua' means water in Latin and 'manus' hand). These jugs were made from precious metals, base metals or ceramic. From the 12th century onwards aquamaniles depicting lions, horses, dragons and other beasts were very popular. The lion was a popular symbol of lordship and power. This object could have been designed to convey the status and importance of its owner or might have referred to a heraldic device.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
| Brief description | Bronze vessel in the shape of a lion with a female figure as handle. Possibly Germany, 1300-1400. |
| Physical description | Bronze vessel in the shape of a grotesque lion with a female figure holding a sword as handle. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Summary | An aquamanile was a jug used both in the home and at church for washing hands ('aqua' means water in Latin and 'manus' hand). These jugs were made from precious metals, base metals or ceramic. From the 12th century onwards aquamaniles depicting lions, horses, dragons and other beasts were very popular. The lion was a popular symbol of lordship and power. This object could have been designed to convey the status and importance of its owner or might have referred to a heraldic device. |
| Bibliographic reference | Bloch, Peter Aquamanilien: Mittelalterliche Bronzen für sakralen und profanen Gebrauch , Gebundene Ausgabe, 1981 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 4054-1856 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
