Lions, Dragons, & other Beasts: Aquamanilia of the Middle Ages: Vessels for Church and Table (Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design & Culture) [Hardcover]

Peter Barnet (Author), Pete Dandridge (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design & Culture | Publication Date: August 7, 2006

This fascinating book explores the history, techniques, and cultural significance of medieval aquamanilia, cast metal objects used to pour water for hand washing in religious and secular contexts. Usually created in appealing animal or human forms, aquamanilia feature two openings, one for filling and the other for pouring. They represent the first emergence of hollow-cast vessels in Western Europe and a significant development in the history of technology. The book presents and catalogues the entire aquamanilia collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art for the first time, as well as selected examples from other collections and other related medieval objects.

(20100401)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lions, Dragons and Other Beasts is an exceptionally well researched publication, which will be an invaluable reference to conservators, curators, and art historians studying medieval aquamanilia, metalworking, or bronze production."--Stephanie Seavers, Speculum--A Journal of Medieval Studies

(Stephanie Seavers Speculum--A Journal of Medieval Studies )

About the Author

Peter Barnet is Michel David-Weill curator in charge, Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Pete Dandridge is a conservator in the Sherman Fairchild Center for Objects Conservation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (August 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300116845
• ISBN-13: 978-0300116847
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,125,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, November 8, 2011

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J. L. R. Reed "The sadyll chic" (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lions, Dragons, & other Beasts: Aquamanilia of the Middle Ages: Vessels for Church and Table (Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design & Culture) (Hardcover)

If you are interested in Medieval Aquamanilia, this book is a must have. The book contains many full color photos of surviving vessels: unicorns, centaurs, a dog, and lions galore. Many show x-rays of the vessels, and the text is descriptive and scholarly.