Large Brass Hanging Lavabo – France or Flanders, Mid 19th Century In excellent condition – No reserve. A rare and beautifully cast Baroque-period hanging lavabo in solid brass, originating from Western Europe (most likely France or Flanders), dating to around 1850 This impressive vessel features two opposing spouts shaped as stylized gargoyles with an arched swing handle with suspension ring. Such lavabos were used in church sacristies and aristocratic households for ceremonial handwashing before Mass or formal dining. They were typically suspended above a basin on a decorative iron bracket, allowing the user to pour water elegantly from the vessel’s dual spouts. Condition In excellent condition for its age, with minor wear consistent with centuries of use and polishing. No repairs or structural damage. Historical context Lavabos like this represent the height of mid 19th-century European craftsmanship, combining practical use with deep symbolic value. They embodied ritual purity and refinement in both religious and noble contexts. Provenance: Private European collection. Historical note: The lavabo has its origins in medieval ecclesiastical ritual, where priests washed their hands before the celebration of the Mass. By the early 19th century, its use extended into aristocratic and bourgeois households, where elegant brass and copper lavabos symbolized both ritual cleanliness and social sophistication. This evolution mirrors the broader cultural transition of Baroque Europe, where sacred forms were reinterpreted as decorative art for the refined home.