VERY RARE EUROPEAN BRONZE AQUAMANILE IN THE SHAPE OF A LION WITH SUPERB PATINA Ca. Early 13th century AD A very rare medieval European aquamanile in the shape of a lion with superb patina. His tail is wrapped between his back legs. Aquamaniles were used to ceremonially wash hands before a religious service or eating food, especially during large banquets. The lion was a common symbol of power, courage, and justice during the Middle Ages. For similar see: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Accession Number 1972.167. Size: 310mm x 265mm; Weight: 2.1kg Provenance: European collection, 1990s. British art market, 2010s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy.