Gémellion

Gémellion - Styles and Influences

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Gémellion
Limoges; 3rd quarter 13th c.

The name gémellion (from Latin gemellus = a twin) is used for a pair of shallow bowls for washing hands, so that the water pours over the hands, from one bowl into the other. Most gémellions made in Limoges are decorated with worldly scenes and coats of arms, so we may presume their use was secular. The surface enamel of this one, like most of the others, is worn since the copper was constantly exposed to water, so the decoration has been reduced to shallow relief.