Aquamanile

This delightful little horse is an aquamanileAquamanileAn aquamanile ('aqua' means water, 'manile' comes from 'manus', or hand) is a jug used for washing the hands. In Roman times an aquamanile would be used at table, during meals. In the Middle Ages aquamaniles continued to be used - in the higher echelons - at the dinner table. From the 12th century the ewer acquired a place in church services. The priest would wash his hands with water before saying mass., a water jug from which to wash the hands at table. The object is hollow. It was filled through a funnel at the back. The water would be poured out through an opening in the mouth. This aquamanile was made in the Maas region, in the thirteenth century.