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Aeolipile (Steamblower)

Southern German, Augsburg or Bohemian, Prague

ca. 1590–1600

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 520

Intended to be filled partway with water through an opening in the sphinx’s headpiece and then heated, this mysterious vessel releases pressurized steam through a pin-sized hole between her lips. If blown over glowing coals, the steam can create a flammable gas composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, so that the sculpture appears to spit fire just like the mythological sphinx. Artistically crafted aeolipiles served as display pieces and were used to distribute the heat of hearth fires.

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

Accession 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.