Horse and Hunter Aquamanile
Ewer
ca. 1200-1250 (made)
ca. 1200-1250 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This Scandinavian ewer is in the form of a man on horseback, with a two-headed serpent for a handle. It was probably used to carry and pour water. The rider has an opening in his bare head through which the ewer could be filled, and the stallion's mouth forms the spout.
It is made of bronze, a metal that was particularly suited to casting in moulds to make free-standing objects. This example is a development of a medieval tradition of casting representations of real, fabulous or mythological creatures in brass.
It is made of bronze, a metal that was particularly suited to casting in moulds to make free-standing objects. This example is a development of a medieval tradition of casting representations of real, fabulous or mythological creatures in brass.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Horse and Hunter Aquamanile |
| Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
| Brief description | Horse and Hunter Aquamanile, bronze, probably Scandinavia (Denmark), ca. 1200-1250 |
| Physical description | In the form of a bare-headed horseman wearing a split surcoat, seated in a high saddle with a saddle cloth. Pendants are roughly engraved beneath the band round the front of the horse. The handle is in the form of a serpent with a head at each end. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Purchased from F.A. Drey, London, 1949. Previously in the possession of the antiquary and collector Philip Nelson, Liverpool, who reported that it was ‘found in Somerset’ (Nelson 1932, p. 447). |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This Scandinavian ewer is in the form of a man on horseback, with a two-headed serpent for a handle. It was probably used to carry and pour water. The rider has an opening in his bare head through which the ewer could be filled, and the stallion's mouth forms the spout. It is made of bronze, a metal that was particularly suited to casting in moulds to make free-standing objects. This example is a development of a medieval tradition of casting representations of real, fabulous or mythological creatures in brass. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.70-1949 |
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| Record created | February 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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