In modern usage, an aquamanile (plural aquamanilia or simply aquamaniles) is a ewer or jug-type vessel in the form of one or more animal or human figures. It usually contained water for the washing of hands (aqua + manos) over a basin, which was part of both upper-class meals and the Christian Eucharist. Historically the term was sometimes used fo... Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquamanile
(from the article `metalwork`) Some of the finest bronze articles of the High Middle Ages were modelled on Oriental pieces brought back from the Holy Land by the crusaders. They ... Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/a/91
a medieval ewer, often made in grotesque animal forms. · a basin used by a celebrant for washing the hands during the saying of the Mass. Found on https://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/aquamanile