Fragment of a water vesicle

Created: 1220-1230

Material, technology: red marble

Size: 23.5 x 64 x 59 cm

Description: This carefully executed red marble carving was hollowed out. Three openings were bored into the wall of the cylindrical part, allowing water to flow through the mouths of the gargoyles adorning the exterior. The openings were later filled with lead, creating a completely closed vessel. It was generally thought to be the outflow of a well, but it is more likely that it belonged to a lavabo, and thus, in this case, the openings probably had spigots. Its place of discovery supports the supposition that this was a liturgical vessel.