Faience began to be made in Portugal in the mid-16th century by Flemish ceramicists who had settled in Lisbon. Being a great technological novelty, this type of ceramic production introduced a modernised artistic taste into Portugal, under the scope of Italian and Flemish Mannerism.

This aquamanile (a water container used for the washing of hands) testifies to the continuing persistence of the original 16th-century models: its moulded form represents a fish in a circular movement, its mouth being used as the spout for pouring the liquid, and its tail serving as a handle for the container, which stands on a shell-shaped base.