Griffin Aquamanile in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, March 2011

Aquamanile in the Form of a Griffin, ca. 1425–50
German (Nuremberg)
Copper alloy
12 9/16 x 4 11/16 (chest), 6 3/4 (claws) x 6 1/2 (wings) x 11 5/8 (with spout 12 11/16) in. (31.9 x 11.9 [chest], 17.2 [claws], 16.5 [wings] x 29.5 [with spout 32.3] cm)
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975 (1975.1.1413)

This magnificent aquamanile in the form of a griffin with (separately cast) outstretched wings can be grouped stylistically with the unicorn (64.101.1493) and a few other examples that were probably produced by the same Nuremberg workshop in the second quarter of the fifteenth century. The aquamanile was filled through a hole between the ears, and water was poured from the spigot in the chest, likely a rare surviving original element.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1975.1.1413