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.

Renier de Huy.  Baptismal font, St. Bartholomew’s Church, Liège, Belgium. Brass or bronze. 1107-1118.