Aquamanile in the Form of a Lion c. 1350

This is a bronze aquamanile in the form of a lion, made by the Foundry of Johannes Apengeter in the mid-14th century. Aquamaniles like this one, were luxury items used for washing hands, particularly within religious or aristocratic settings. The lion form carries rich symbolic weight, associated with power, royalty, and religious figures like Christ. This object reflects the hierarchical society of the late Middle Ages in Europe, where ritualized cleansing was both a practical and symbolic act, reinforcing social status and religious devotion. The intricate design and costly material indicate it was meant for a wealthy and influential patron, possibly within the Church or nobility. To fully understand this aquamanile, one must delve into medieval social customs, religious art history, and the economics of metalwork in the period. Such research helps us recognize the object not just as a functional item, but as a key to unlocking the values and structures of its time.