Physical description
A Griffin Ewer, gilt bronze, cast and chased, decorated with silver and niello. In the form of a Griffin, resting upon two feet with an extra decorative support underneath his tail. The beast faces forward with wings folded. A design resembling a heraldic shield adorns each wing. The ewer would have been filled through the hole in the creature's tail (the lid is now missing) and poured through the mouth of the beast.
The griffin is a fantastical creature that combines the head and claws of a lion with the wings of an eagle. The western form of the griffin was influenced by the eastern senmurvs, images of which were woven into ancient Sassanian and Byzantine sillks imported into Europe.
In antiquity the griffin held a positive image as a protector and guardian. This continued into the Middle Ages particularly in Romanesque art, where sculptural forms of the griffin act as guardians on the facades of churches and cathedrals. The image of the griffin appeared less frequently in Gothic art.
Place of Origin
Germany (possibly, made)
Mosan, Belgium (possibly, made)
Date
ca. 1120 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Bronze, gilt, cast and chased; silver, niello
Dimensions
Height: 18.7 cm, Length: 12.5 cm, Depth: 20.5 cm, Weight: 2.36 kg
Object history note
Middle Ages Exhibition R.F.2002/903
Canossa Exhibition RF.2005/481
Purchase
Historical significance: Only a few dozen aquamaniles survive: this is one of the oldest and most technically sophisticated, the cast copper alloy inlaid with sheet silver and niello (an ancient and skilled technique which goes back at least to Ancient Egypt). A companion to this piece is in the Kunsthistoriches Museum in Vienna. It is in the shape of a dragon and has very similar technical finish.
Since its acquisition this piece has been considered an important work of medieval art. Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt, nineteenth century Art Refereree, architect and journalist wrote "so fine and historical a piece of metalwork seldom occurs for sale...designed and executed by a master of his craft (with) admirable hardiesse."
This ewer's Viennese counterpart inspired nineteenth century versions in silver and ceramic. It also influenced other nineteenth century objects. A Claret Jug (M.20-1986) made in 1877 is believed to have a form derived from a Vienna Porcelain Chocolate pot (eighteenth century) which in turn was derived from the aquamanile in the Kunstshistoriches Museum. There is no evidence however, that the V&A ewer ever influenced nineteenth century art.
Historical context note
Ewers, often known as aquamanilia (from the Latin, aqua= water, manus=hand), are vessel used for washing hands. They were used in the church, during the mass, or in a domestic context, before and after meals. From the 12th century onwards ewers depicting creatures such as lions, horses, unicorns, dragons and birds were very popular. They were made in precious metals, base metals and ceramics.
Descriptive line
Griffin aquamanile, cast copper inlaid with sheet silver and niello
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Sievernich, Gereon, and Budde, Hendrik, Europa und der Orient 800-1900 , Berlin, 1989. Catalogue of the exhibition, 28 May - 27 August, 1989. 923 p., ill. ISBN 3750048144 Catalogue entry 4/74 p587 (Ill.201 p.185)
Fortnum, C, Catalogue of Bronzes, London, 1876, p.112, pl.xvi
Hungerford Pollen, J, Gold and Silversmiths Work in the South Kensington Museum, London, 1878, p.23
Swarzenski, H, Monuments of Romanesque Art, London 1955 no.262, pl.115, no.266, pl.250
La Niece, S, " Niello; an Historical and Technical Survey",Antiquaries Journal, LXIII, 1983, p.279-91
Williamson, P, ed. A Medieval Treasury, London, 1986, p.137 and pl.9
Bloch, P, Aquamanilen- Mittelaterliche Bronzen für Sakralen ad Profanen Gebrauch, Weber, 1981, figs. 21 & 22
Peter Barnet and Pete Dandridge, Lions, Dragons and Other Beasts: Vessels for Church and Table, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 2006, p.12, fig. 1-8
Exhibition History
A Grand Design - The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum (Victoria and Albert Museum 14/10/1999-16/01/2000)
Canossa - Erschütterung der Welt. Geschichte Kunst und Kultur am Aufgang Romanik (Diözesanmuseum, Paderborn 21/07/2006-05/11/2006)
Europa und der Orient 800-1900 (01/01/1989-31/12/2708)
Heinrich der Löwe und seine Zeit: Herrschaft und Repraesentation der Welfen 1125-1235, Herzog-Anton-Ulrich Museum, Braunschweig (Braunschweig 01/01/1995-31/12/1995)
Art of the Middle Ages (Galleria Nazionale, Parma 01/09/2003-31/12/2003)
Production Note
Made in Germany, or Mosan (the land of the Meuse River valley)
Materials
Silver; Gold; Bronze; Niello
Techniques
Gilding; Casting; Chasing
Subjects depicted
Griffins
Categories
Metalwork; Myths & Legends
Collection code
MET
