Goose-Shaped Aquamanile
Aquamanile in the Form of a Goose
Ca. 1300 CE
Copper Alloy, Pottery
Khalili Collection, MTW 846
This aquamanile, which is a water jug often in the shape of an animal, features a figure in the shape of a goose, with a large arc down its back acting as a handle and a lion’s face as a lid. The piece also displays various ornate details across its body, with pictures of deer engraved across the body and glazed turquoise pottery acting as the bird’s eyes. The extensive detail put into the craftsmanship denotes its value and points to likely being used by the Islamic elite during its time period for various tasks that involved water. This water pitcher, like many of the other water pitchers fashioned in a similar way during this time period, this aquamanile would have been an art piece to be admired by guests at the dinner table and highlights the cultural importance of dining and drinking as finely as possible in Islamic culture.