The Collection
The American Wing Ancient Near Eastern Art Arms and Armor The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing Asian Art The Cloisters The Costume Institute Drawings and Prints Egyptian Art European Paintings European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Greek and Roman Art Islamic Art Robert Lehman Collection The Libraries Medieval Art Musical Instruments Photographs Antonio Ratti Textile Center Modern and Contemporary Art

On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Aeolipile (Steamblower)

Southern German, Augsburg or Bohemian, Prague

ca. 1590–1600

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 520

This mysterious sculpture hides an ancient steam technology: an aeolipile. When filled partway with water through an opening in the sphinx’s headpiece and heated to high temperatures, the vessel releases pressurized steam through a pin-size hole between the figure’s lips. If blown over glowing coals, the steam can create a flammable gas composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and the sculpture appears to spit fire just like the mythological sphinx. Artistically crafted aeolipiles served as display pieces and were used to regulate the heat of hearth fires and furnaces, and to power machinery.

Aeolipile (Steamblower), Bronze with dark patina, silver, Southern German, Augsburg or Bohemian, Prague — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Aeolipile (Steamblower), Bronze with dark patina, silver, Southern German, Augsburg or Bohemian, Prague

Aeolipile (Steamblower), Bronze with dark patina, silver, Southern German, Augsburg or Bohemian, Prague

Aeolipile (Steamblower), Bronze with dark patina, silver, Southern German, Augsburg or Bohemian, Prague

Aeolipile (Steamblower), Bronze with dark patina, silver, Southern German, Augsburg or Bohemian, Prague

Aeolipile (Steamblower), Bronze with dark patina, silver, Southern German, Augsburg or Bohemian, Prague

Aeolipile (Steamblower), Bronze with dark patina, silver, Southern German, Augsburg or Bohemian, Prague

Aeolipile (Steamblower), Bronze with dark patina, silver, Southern German, Augsburg or Bohemian, Prague

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Aeolipile (Steamblower)

Date: ca. 1590–1600

Culture: Southern German, Augsburg or Bohemian, Prague

Medium: Bronze with dark patina, silver

Dimensions: 15 3/4 × 10 13/16 × 12 1/2 in. (40 × 27.5 × 31.7 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Bronze

Credit Line: The Hearn Family Trust

Object Number: L.2023.16.2a, b

The Met

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts at The Met

The Met's comprehensive collection of European sculpture and decorative arts reflect the development of a number of art forms in Western European countries from the early fifteenth through the early twentieth century.