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Situla (Bucket for Holy Water)

860–880
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304
Buckets such as this were used for sprinkling holy water upon the faithful during processions. Ivory examples are exceptionally rare, and this one is the earliest to survive. An entire section of an elephant tusk, hollowed out, made it possible to decorate the surface of this bucket with scenes from the life of Jesus. On the lower register are depicted the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Dream of Joseph, and the Baptism of Jesus. On the upper register are the Betrayal, the Flagellation, the Last Supper, the Ascension, the Holy Women at the Sepulchre, and the Crucifixion.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Situla (Bucket for Holy Water)
  • Date: 860–880
  • Geography: Made in northern France
  • Culture: Carolingian
  • Medium: Elephant ivory with gilded copper-alloy mounts and foil inlays
  • Dimensions: Overall (with handle up): 8 5/16 x 6 1/16 x 5 1/8 in. (21.1 x 15.4 x 13 cm)
    Overall (with handle down): 6 3/16 x 6 1/16 x 5 1/8 in. (15.7 x 15.4 x 13 cm)
    Overall (vessel only): 5 3/4 x 5 1/16 in. (14.6 x 12.8 cm)
    diameter of foot: 3 1/8 in. (8 cm)
  • Classification: Ivories-Elephant
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.45
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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2950. Situla (Bucket for Holy Water)

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