Aquamanile in the Form of a Unicorn

Unknown

ca. 1425–50 · Copper alloy · Medieval Art

The aquamanile takes its name from the Latin words for water (aqua) and hand (manus), as it was intended for hand washing at table. Poured through a flap at the top, the water was later dispensed through the spigot in the unicorn’s chest. The flame-like tail is typical of aquamanilia cast in Nuremberg. Residents of the city were enthralled by unicorns, emblazoning their coats of arms with images of the beast. Nuremberg officials, however, sensibly decided against the purchase of a unicorn offered by the distinguished humanist scholar and physician Johannes Sambucus in the mid sixteenth century. The horn of the unicorn on this aquamanile has been replaced.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1425–50

Medium

Copper alloy

Culture

German

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1964