Baptism was a critical ritual in the formation of identity in the Middle Ages. In its spiritual function, it marked a connection and commitment between the faithful and God. Baptism was a fundamental change in the identity of the individual, sealed as Christ’s own forever. But that sacrament took place within the grounds of liturgical practice of the communal Church, with norms and expectations that also influenced civic and familial roles. Medieval churches of all sizes invested in a font for their congregations. Fonts should be seen not as isolated objects, as pretty pieces of quite large sculpture. In the design and decoration of the font, a rich conversation occurs about the importance of the sacrament in the Church and in the community.



This font, likely 1175-1275 in date, is no exception. Its beautiful and complete carving points to the depth of value that the faith community placed on this piece of liturgical furniture. There is no question that this was an elaborate and expensive artwork. It is completely carved with decorative bands at top and bottom and the roundels stretched around the middle. It is evidence that the font was a valued object in its original church site. This helps us connect it to the beliefs of the period—baptism was at the center of sacramental theology, as the initiation that established God’s grace cleansing from the Original Sin brought to the human condition through Adam and Eve. Without baptism, the soul could be condemned to Hell. Given the primacy of baptism for salvation for all souls, the liturgical furniture of a baptismal font was a prized possession. But a large number of fonts were barely carved— just bowls. The important feature was a basin to hold the sanctified water. The elaborate decoration here extends the value of the object, highlighting its importance.

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