{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O131240"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O131240/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BV1240/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BV1240/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2008BV1240","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BV1239","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017KA0201","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O131240/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O131240","accessionNumber":"6983-1860","objectType":"Gemellion","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Gemellions were shallow bowls used in pairs. The name <i>Gemellion</i> comes from the Latin word <i>gemellio</i> meaning twin. The washing of hands at the dinner table was an important part of the medieval dining process. Hands were dipped into a basin filled with water, or held above a dish whilst water was poured over them. From the thirteenth century in France, gemellions were used for this purpose. One of the gemellions, like this example, would have a small spout from which water would be poured. The second bowl was used to catch the water. Gemellions were commonly enameled and often decorated with chivalric scenes and heraldry. This gemellion depicts the Royal arms of France amidst images of seated kings. The appearance of heraldic arms on such a commonly used object shows to what extent heraldry infiltrated secular art in the medieval period.","physicalDescription":"Copper, originally gilt, with champlevé enamel. The inside of the bowl decorated with the arms of France ancient surrounded by seated kings. Under the rim is a spout in the form of a dragons head. The outside of the bowl is plain.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"copper","id":"AAT11020"},{"text":"enamel","id":"AAT14910"}],"techniques":[{"text":"enamelling","id":"x37485"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Copper, champlevé enamel","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Enamels","id":"THES48876"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2008BV1240","2008BV1239","2017KA0201"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"9 (VA)","id":"THES49705"},"free":"","case":"CA1","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Bowl","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Limoges","id":"x32604"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1200-1250","earliest":"1200-01-01","latest":"1250-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"23.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries 2006","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Purchase\n\nHistorical significance: This gemellion depicts the Royal arms of France amidst images of seated kings. The iconography combines the ideals of chivalry and kingship with heraldry. The appearance of heraldic arms on such a commonly used object shows to what extent heraldry infiltrated secular art in the medieval period. This object, with its strong images of kingship and royalty, may have been intended as an outward show of loyalty to the King. Similarly it may have indicated power by affiliating the owner with the royal arms of France.","historicalContext":"Gemellions were shallow bowls used in pairs. The name <i>Gemellion</i> comes from the Latin word <i>gemellio</i> meaning twin. The washing of hands at the dinner table was an important part of the medieval dining process. Hands were dipped into a basin filled with water, or held above a dish whilst water was poured over them. From the thirteenth century in France, gemellions were used for this purpose. One of the gemellions, like this example, would have a small spout from which water would be poured. The second bowl was used to catch the water. Gemellions were commonly enameled and often decorated with chivalric scenes and heraldry.","briefDescription":"Champlevé enamel on copper, depicting the arms of France, ancient","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"John Cherry, <u>Medieval Decorative Art</u>, British Museum Press, 1991, p.39"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"GEMELLION\r\n(bowl for washing hands)\r\nChamplevé enamel on copper,originally gilt\r\nFRENCH, (Limoges)\r\n13th century\r\n\r\nIn the middle, the arms of France ancient, surrounded by five seated figures of kings. Under the rim is a spout formed as a dragon's head. These bowls were used in pairs, hence their name, from the medieval Latin: <i>gemellio</i> (twin). They played a necessary part in the ceremonial of eating since the absence of forks meant that finger had a role as implements, and needed washing. Gemellions were also used by the priest during the Mass, for the ritual washing of hands.","date":{"text":"before 2000","earliest":null,"latest":"1999-12-31"}},{"text":"GEMELLION\r\nA finger bowl\r\nChamplevé enamel on copper, originally gilt.\r\nIn the middle, the arms of France ancient, surrounded by five seated figures of a king. Under the rim is a spout formed as a dragons head.\r\nFrench (Limoges); 13th century","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["6983-1860"],"accessionNumberNum":"6983","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1860,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP8222","2019LT8016","2019LV0893","2019LW3344","2020MN9910","2020MN9911"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-16","recordCreationDate":"2007-02-01","availableToBook":false}}