13th century art piece with a rider sits upright astride lion`s back, arms gripping its ears; between lion`s ears a square-shaped hole covered by a lid which allows liquid to be poured into the lion; from his mouth spring the head and shoulders of a man, whose arms clasp the lion`s teeth; from the hind-quarters to the rider`s neck springs an animal forming a handle. An aquamanile is a vessel made of bronze or pottery that was used for holding water for the washing of hands before meals. They are often shaped as animals. Human figures usually appear as part of the composition, fighting with or riding the animal. This vessel in the form of a lion includes two figures. The first, on the animal`s back has his legs against the lion`s neck and controls the beast by holding on to each of its ears, one in each hand. The second figure, whose body forms the spout of the vessel, grasps the lion`s mouth with his hands. The two figures may represent debased images of the Old Testament prophet, Samson, who is famous for having fought and killed a lion.
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