Half-moon shaped Stoup

About the Item

HALF-MOON STOUP ORIGIN: VENICE, ITALY PERIOD: 13th Century Height: 33 cm Width: 82 cm Depth: 55 cm Nembro marble This hemispherical stoup is powerfully carved with a mascaron with strong features, frowning eyebrows, a strong nose and grimacing mouth. The edge of the tank is underlined by a torus. It is made in Nembro marble. Coming from the mountains of Lombardy, Nembro marble stone was widely used in the Middle Ages in cathedrals, churches, and convents in northern Italy. Baptism, an essential and founding event in the life of a Christian, has undergone significant changes over the centuries. In early Christian times, only adults could claim it. Baptisms were practiced by immersion, first in the middle of nature, then in basins, inside courtyards and buildings. This led to the construction of baptisteries to accommodate the baptismal font. However, from the 12th century, the very high infant mortality led to the need to allow newborns and young children to receive the sacrament of baptism. The ritual the experienced a new evolution. It was no longer practiced by immersion but by effusion or sprinkling. The shape and size of baptismal fonts changed. They were then replaced by spherical tanks of average size often placed on a column or a pillar. The holy water fonts, generally placed near the entrance to churches are intimately linked to the rite of baptism. They welcome the holy water thanks to which the faithful will purify themselves and enter into communion with God.

Dimensions:

Height: 13 in (33 cm)Width: 32.29 in (82 cm)Depth: 21.66 in (55 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Marble

Period:

15th Century and Earlier

Date of Manufacture:

13th Century

Condition:

Seller Location:

Saint-Ouen, FR

Reference Number: