Extremely rare Portuguese faïence aquamanile moulded and shaped as a fantastic chimera of dog head and neck, and pronounced female torso of marked waistline, fused onto a hybrid lower body with lion paws, bird wings and a fish tail that curves upwards, to join the back of the head, forming a handle. The character was only conceivable due to the wide diversity of cultures and exotic objects from far-away lands that merged in Lisbon, and overlapped with Italian Renaissance elements and Mannerist grammars characteristic of early 17th century Portuguese art.

 

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