Lions, Dragons, and Other Beasts:
Aquamanilia of the Middle Ages, Vessels for Church and Table
JULY 12 – OCTOBER 15, 2006

Aquamanilia of the Middle Ages, the second exhibition resulting from a collaboration between the Bard Graduate Center and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, features the Metropolitan’s superb collection of medieval aquamanilia. The first hollow-cast vessels produced in the medieval West, aquamanilia were used by priests to pour water for hand washing before mass, and by lay people at mealtimes. Each vessel had two openings, one for filling with water and one for pouring. Human and animal forms were used, the animals often being fantastic creations. Aquamanilia are among the most distinctive and delightful products of the Middle Ages.