Situla (Bucket for Holy Water) with Saint Peter and Other Saints, Probably Apostles
Unknown Artist
ca. 1200–1225
Medium
Champlevé enamel, copper, iron. Ground probably once gilt.
Dimensions
Overall: 6 1/4 x 8 1/8 in. (15.9 x 20.6 cm)
Classification
Enamels-Champlevé
Culture
French
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.509
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Situla (Bucket for Holy Water) Saint Peter and Other Saints Probably Apostles* dates to around 1200–1225, a vibrant period in medieval France during the High Middle Ages. Crafted by an unknown artist, likely from the renowned Limoges, it served a practical liturgical purpose: holding holy water for sprinkling during church rituals, symbolizing purification and divine blessing. The bucket's narrative scenes honor Saint Peter, the first pope and keeper of heaven's keys, alongside fellow apostles, embodying the era's deep devotion to these foundational Christian figures. The artw...