A Lower Saxon lion aquamanile, 14th century Lot n° 26

The spouted vessel in the shape of a lion, hollow-wrought in one piece. The head with ears erect and finely engraved mane, a small pouring spout in its maw. A rectangular filling opening on the top of its head, the hinged lid has been lost. The body with legs extended backwards, the tail hanging down beside the right hind leg. Zoomorphic handle, the lower end flaring out into a trefoil leaf. Small drill holes for the sample collection at the root of the tail and the feet of both hind legs. Height 30.2 cm, total length 37 cm, weight 4128 g. Rare courtly spouted vessel, which was used for the ritual hand washing of guests before a banquet. Includes a 2014 expert report from the Institute for Materials Science in Wiesbaden with a positive alloy analysis and x-ray images, as well as a TL report issued by the Kotalla laboratory in 2018, classifying the age of the casting core as approx. 620 years old. Condition: II +