Post-medieval Bronze hinged Holy water vessel

11
days
13
hours
08
minutes
22
seconds
Current bid
€ 2
Reserve price not met
Peter Reynaers
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 250 - € 330
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€2

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A 17th‑century bronze hinged Holy Water vessel from the Low Countries, with a rounded body on a circular foot, a hinged carrying handle with suspension ring, and dimensions of about 112.6 mm high (excluding hinge), 190 mm high (including hinge) and 74.7 mm wide, in good condition with patina and minor wear, authentic and original, acquired in 2022 from a Dutch dealer.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.

A large bronze holy water vessel from the Low Countries or Flanders.
The vessel with rounded form is standing on a circular foot and is fitted with a hinged carrying handle. The body has a bulbous profile with a narrowed neck, flared rim, and subtle horizontal moulded bands. The arched handle is attached to the vessel by side loops and terminates above in a suspension ring, allowing the vessel to be carried or hung when in use.

-> The elegant form and liturgical function suggest use as a holy water vessel, also known as a situla, used in Christian religious ceremonies for holding and sprinkling blessed water.

Condition:
Good condition with appealing patina, small dents and minor scratches. The vessel remains complete with its handle and suspension ring. One of the hinges shows an ancient repair. Minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with age and use.

Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.

Height: ± 112,6 mm (without the hinge)
Height: ± 190 mm (including hinge)
Width: ± 74,7 mm

Certificate of Authenticity available upon request (pdf-format).

-> Holy water vessels were used in Christian liturgical practice to hold blessed water during blessings, processions, and ceremonial sprinkling. They were often carried together with an aspergillum, the instrument used to sprinkle the water.

-> Bronze examples of this type combine practical function with formal religious use. Their rounded body, footed base, and movable handle made them suitable for both display and ceremonial handling within church or devotional settings.

Seller's Story

Please read our information carefully. *SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us. * CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package. * INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following: -> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date. -> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage. * MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices. * IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU. * DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers. ---------------------- Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!

Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.

A large bronze holy water vessel from the Low Countries or Flanders.
The vessel with rounded form is standing on a circular foot and is fitted with a hinged carrying handle. The body has a bulbous profile with a narrowed neck, flared rim, and subtle horizontal moulded bands. The arched handle is attached to the vessel by side loops and terminates above in a suspension ring, allowing the vessel to be carried or hung when in use.

-> The elegant form and liturgical function suggest use as a holy water vessel, also known as a situla, used in Christian religious ceremonies for holding and sprinkling blessed water.

Condition:
Good condition with appealing patina, small dents and minor scratches. The vessel remains complete with its handle and suspension ring. One of the hinges shows an ancient repair. Minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with age and use.

Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.

Height: ± 112,6 mm (without the hinge)
Height: ± 190 mm (including hinge)
Width: ± 74,7 mm

Certificate of Authenticity available upon request (pdf-format).

-> Holy water vessels were used in Christian liturgical practice to hold blessed water during blessings, processions, and ceremonial sprinkling. They were often carried together with an aspergillum, the instrument used to sprinkle the water.

-> Bronze examples of this type combine practical function with formal religious use. Their rounded body, footed base, and movable handle made them suitable for both display and ceremonial handling within church or devotional settings.

Seller's Story

Please read our information carefully. *SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us. * CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package. * INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following: -> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date. -> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage. * MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices. * IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU. * DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers. ---------------------- Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!

Details

Culture
Post-medieval
Century/timeframe
17th century AD
Name of object
hinged Holy water vessel
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2022
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2022
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
The NetherlandsVerified
9411
Objects sold
100%
protop

Disclaimer

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

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