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Lot Essay
Among the many forms of aquamaniles, the lion is most commonly depicted. With its connotations of power and courage it was an understandably popular addition to a grand domestic interior. These ranged in size and some of the 15th century examples were produced on a scale that suggests they had become more decorative than functional as their weight would make them difficult to use.
By contrast, the present lion aquamanile is exceptional for its diminutive size. It compares closely to a gilt-bronze example of similar dimensions in the Widener Collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington which is catalogued as 'Northern French or Mosan, circa 1200' (inv. 1942.9.281 (C-5), see Distelberger, loc. cit.). Both aquamaniles have the same rounded proportions to the chest and haunches, and both show the tail looping between the hind legs and curling back to rest on the proper left hip. Equally, they share a similar facial type, with incised eyes, bared teeth and protruding tongue which forms a spout. The rows of tightly curled fur on the mane, and the distinctive chevron pattern engraved down the sides of the legs is also shared by both pieces. The small scale also accounts for the lack of a handle on both aquamaniles, as each would fit easily into the hand of its user. It has been pointed out in the entry on the Widener lion that the indication of a ribcage serves both as decoration and as an additional grip (ibid, p. 27).
Despite its small scale, the present aquamanile still manages to achieve a sort of monumentality through the overall proportions and the quality of the modelling. Its status as a precious object is enhanced by the careful attention to details such as the engraved eyebrows, the careful treatment of the mane and the band of zigzag decoration around the neck. It is both a functioning object and a sophisticated work of art that can withstand close scrutiny in even the most intimate of settings.
For more general information on aquamaniles, please see the introduction to this section.
This lot comes with Metallography and Analysis report #R2395 by Dr. Peter Northover which indicates a high copper content with significant elements of tin and lead. This is a similar composition to the example in the National Gallery of Art.
By contrast, the present lion aquamanile is exceptional for its diminutive size. It compares closely to a gilt-bronze example of similar dimensions in the Widener Collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington which is catalogued as 'Northern French or Mosan, circa 1200' (inv. 1942.9.281 (C-5), see Distelberger, loc. cit.). Both aquamaniles have the same rounded proportions to the chest and haunches, and both show the tail looping between the hind legs and curling back to rest on the proper left hip. Equally, they share a similar facial type, with incised eyes, bared teeth and protruding tongue which forms a spout. The rows of tightly curled fur on the mane, and the distinctive chevron pattern engraved down the sides of the legs is also shared by both pieces. The small scale also accounts for the lack of a handle on both aquamaniles, as each would fit easily into the hand of its user. It has been pointed out in the entry on the Widener lion that the indication of a ribcage serves both as decoration and as an additional grip (ibid, p. 27).
Despite its small scale, the present aquamanile still manages to achieve a sort of monumentality through the overall proportions and the quality of the modelling. Its status as a precious object is enhanced by the careful attention to details such as the engraved eyebrows, the careful treatment of the mane and the band of zigzag decoration around the neck. It is both a functioning object and a sophisticated work of art that can withstand close scrutiny in even the most intimate of settings.
For more general information on aquamaniles, please see the introduction to this section.
This lot comes with Metallography and Analysis report #R2395 by Dr. Peter Northover which indicates a high copper content with significant elements of tin and lead. This is a similar composition to the example in the National Gallery of Art.