France, Limoges, 13 – 14th century
Dimension: 24.5 x 6.5 cm
An enamelled, fire-gilt copper navicula from the town of Limoges in France, 13th-14th century.
The navicula (Latin: little boat) was made using the champlevé or ’embedded enamel’ technique, in which negative shapes were first engraved into a fire-gilt copper and only then filled with enamel. The navicula is used to hold the incense, its side handles form a snake, its lids can be opened and have 2 angels on its surface. The angels are the main motif of the object, indicating its relation to Christianity, but there are also a number of other decorative elements, such as the flowers in blossom and the bright green and red lines in various shapes on the stem and base of the container.
