Abstract

The growing importance of baptismal water since the 3rd c., emphasized in the ceremony of its blessing with holy oils (benedictio fontis) which occurred in the Early Middle Ages and Carolingian ceremonies, developed the perception of baptismal water as a res sacra, a holy item category, turning it into unique matter. Its presence in the baptismal font influenced the development of the shape and decoration of the baptismal vessel, primarily by compositionally exposing the basin which clearly dominated the pedestal. The holiness and the sanctifying power of the Sacrament matter were illustrated in the font basin decoration. In the Middle Ages, the sacramental matter of baptismal water was used in sorcery practices related to the so-called effigy magic (invultuatio). In order to enhance the magic power and identification with sorcery addressees, wax figurines that represented them underwent a rite of sorcery Baptism being given the name of an individual a magic ritual was targeted at. As a result, baptismal water together with the consecrated oil of Chrism and oil of the Catechumens were stolen from churches. Those sacrilege practices made the Church issue an order to keep baptismal fonts locked (sub clave), the latter resulting in various forms of preventing access to the baptismal font: from simple lids strengthened with metal ferrules, up to impressive conic ones, with time becoming more and more artistically elaborate. The problem of securing fonts remained open also in the post-Tridentine period. Rituale Romanum issued in 1614 instructed to lock the fonts and fence them off with a closing balustrade.