Deer Aquamanile

Aquamanile are basically water pitchers which were used historically for washing ones hands either before a large feast or within the church. The usually filled them with herbed or flowered water, poured the liquid over the hands and the water would be caught below in a bowl or large basin. They were used throughout most of Europe and in Islam. They were made out of metal and clay.

Wikipedia has a more detailed approach to the definition over here.

There were a number of types of animals and forms used for Aquamaniles. There have been lions, rams, people, birds and many others. I guess you can even think today's cow creamer is a cousin to the aquamanile in a way.

This one I recreated was a Deer that was found in Rye, made sometime between 1300-1399.



Mine is on the left and the original (leg less... appendages usually break off in use or buried over time from pressure) on the right. The original info from the VA is over here.

These ceramic objects are always fun to show off.