baptismal font

A receptacle for water used in the Christian sacrament of baptism. Early Christian and Medieval baptismal fonts were normally located in a baptistery, a building separate from the church.  Later, especially in northern Europe, as child baptism replaced adult baptism, fonts became smaller and were usually placed within the church.

Screen Shot 2015-07-04 at 12.02.06 PMRanier of Huy.  Baptismal font, St. Bartholomew’s Church, Liège, Belgium. Brass or bronze. 1107-1118.