Medieval Aquamanile, Lion

Handcrafted Lion Aquamanile – Medieval Style
Details

Originally a Persian tradition, aquamanilia were ritual vessels used to pour water for hand washing during both religious and secular ceremonies. Typically made from copper or bronze, these elaborately shaped vessels—often representing animals or human figures—were a notable part of medieval life. Their cultural importance is reflected in the hundreds of surviving examples, now displayed in museums around the world.

When the tradition reached Europe in the 12th century, it continued into the 15th century, with beautiful metal examples found in high-status homes. However, more modest households often owned pottery versions, crafted by local potters inspired by the metal originals. That tradition continues today through our range of handmade ceramic aquamaniles, all based on documented medieval forms.

Lion Design
Lions were a popular theme in medieval aquamanilia. With their broad chests, powerful stances, and fierce open mouths, they symbolised strength, pride, and nobility—qualities that continue to resonate today.

Materials
Terracotta clay with honey glaze

Dimensions
Height: Approx. 200 mm
Length: Approx. 255 mm
Width: Approx. 115 mm

Production

As with all of our museum-quality replicas, this piece has been entirely hand-built using natural materials and tools based on those used by the original medieval craftspeople. We aim to reproduce both the look and spirit of the original object using historically informed methods.

Health & Safety
Museum-Quality Replica: Made using authentic historical tools and techniques.
Not food safe: Although this vessel is glazed, it is made from earthenware, which remains somewhat porous. It does not meet modern health and safety standards for food or drink use.
For display purposes only: While some enthusiasts use replicas for experimental archaeology, doing so is at your own risk.
Medieval users ensured hygiene and safety by heating water above 70°C for at least 10 minutes to kill bacteria, with 100°C or higher offering additional protection.

Ordering Information
'Add to Basket' Items: Ready to ship immediately.
'Pre-order' Items: Handmade to order within 90 days (longer for international orders). If your order includes both 'Add to Basket' and 'Pre-order' items, they will be shipped together once all items are ready.

Shipping
All items are sent via second-class postal service as standard.
If you require first-class shipping, please contact us for a custom quote.
Postage Note: All items are carefully packaged to ensure they arrive in perfect condition.

A bold and symbolic piece of medieval artistry—add a roar of history to your collection with this handcrafted lion aquamanile.