Situla (Bucket for Holy Water)

Unknown

860–880 · Ivory with gilded copper-alloy mounts and foil inlays · Medieval Art

Buckets such as this were used for sprinkling holy water upon the faithful during processions. Ivory examples are exceptionally rare, and this one is the earliest to survive. An entire section of an elephant tusk, hollowed out, made it possible to decorate the surface of this bucket with scenes from the life of Jesus. On the lower register are depicted the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Dream of Joseph, and the Baptism of Jesus. On the upper register are the Betrayal, the Flagellation, the Last Supper, the Ascension, the Holy Women at the Sepulchre, and the Crucifixion.

Artist

Unknown

Date

860–880

Medium

Ivory with gilded copper-alloy mounts and foil inlays

Culture

Carolingian

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917