Ewer thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Ewer

15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This ewer, supported on a pedestal foot, is of a type that began to appear in the 15th century. As with earlier three-legged ewers, the spout is shaped like the head and open jaws of some fabulous creature. The source of this motif is unknown but it remained popular for a long time, and indeed was still being used to embellish teapots and coffee pots in the late 18th century.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brass
Brief description
Brass ewer with cover, the handle and spout are both in the form of dragon-like creatures, Flemish, 15th century
Physical description
Ewer with cover, the handle and spout are formed by two dragon-like creatures.
Dimensions
  • Base to top of lid height: 24.3cm (Note: Measurement in Mende, Ursula. Die Mittelalterlichen Bronzen im Germanischen Nationalmuseum. Bestandskatalog. Nuremberg: Germanischen Nationalmuseums, 2013, p. 302, note 13.)
  • Base to rim (not including lid) height: 21.1cm (Note: Mende, Ursula. Die Mittelalterlichen Bronzen im Germanischen Nationalmuseum. Bestandskatalog. Nuremberg: Germanischen Nationalmuseums, 2013, p.302, note 13.)
  • Diameter across base diameter: 3.75in
Subject depicted
Summary
This ewer, supported on a pedestal foot, is of a type that began to appear in the 15th century. As with earlier three-legged ewers, the spout is shaped like the head and open jaws of some fabulous creature. The source of this motif is unknown but it remained popular for a long time, and indeed was still being used to embellish teapots and coffee pots in the late 18th century.
Bibliographic reference
Mende, Ursula. Die Mittelalterlichen Bronzen im Germanischen Nationalmuseum. Bestandskatalog. Nuremberg: Germanischen Nationalmuseums, 2013. ISBN 9783936688627
Collection
Accession number
540-1869

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Record createdFebruary 11, 2004
Record URL
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