A BRONZE AQUAMANILE

In the Middle Ages, bronze and brass were used for both functional and ornamental items, in secular as well as ecclesiastical settings. Being extremely durable, the material was particularly suitable for vessels that would receive much handling. Among the most popular was the aquamanile (aqua - water, manus - hand), used for washing the hands during the Mass or at the table. Large numbers of these were made between the 11th and 16th centuries in a variety of forms, the most popular being lions, knights on horseback, birds, dragons and unicorns.