Aquamanilia, from the Latin words meaning "water" and "hands," served to pour water over the hands of priests before celebrating Mass and of diners at meals (see also 64.101.1492). This hollow vessel, cast in the lost-wax process, is rendered in the form of a proud and alert lion. The rear edges of all four legs have been notched and engraved to suggest fur, and the long mane covering the entire chest has been rendered in low relief and incised to achieve surface detail. A dragon forms the vessel's handle, and a dragon-head spout supports the spigot extending from the lion's chest.
