This piece was deemed so desirable to the nation's collections, that the Victoria and Albert Museum appealed to the Art Fund for half of its purchase price - an appeal that was successful. Formerly in the collection of Tsar Alexander III, this situla - or holy water bucket - was sold from the Hermitage as a result of financial hardship in the Soviet Union. It is one of only four such objects to survive. The situla was made around 920 to mark the visit of Otto II to Milan and contains twelve scenes from the Passion on two superimposed rows.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Basilewsky Situla, c. 980
Date supported
1933
Medium and material
Ivory
Dimensions
16 x 13 cm
Grant
3950
Total cost
7900
Get a National Art Pass and explore V&A South Kensington
You'll see more art and your membership will help museums across the UK
National Art Pass offers available at V&A South Kensington
Art Funded by you FAQs
Contact us
If you have a question about a work of art in our archive, please contact the Programmes team. We’ll be happy to answer your enquiry.