Basin

Art Historical Context

This elegant brass *Basin*, created by an unknown German artist in the first half of the 16th century, graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1921, it measures 21½ × 2¾ inches and weighs a sturdy 10.2 pounds (4.6 kg), showcasing the robust craftsmanship typical of German metalwork during the Northern Renaissance. Brass basins like this were prized functional objects in households, churches, or civic settings, often used for ritual handwashing during meals or ceremonies. Their shallow, wide form allowed for...