Średniowieczne chrzcielnice kamienne w kościołach na terenie Żuław Wiślanych: inwentaryzacja, funkcje, symbolika

Abstract

Stone baptismal fonts, today often serving as stoups, are the best preserved elements of the medieval appointments of many historic churches in Żuławy Wiślane. Originally, they were probably placed near the entrance to the church, which symbolized the beginning of the Christian’s path to salvation, a transition from the profanum to the sacrum, and inclusion within the community of the faithful. For security reasons, baptismal fonts were surrounded by decorative grilles and closed with special covers, of which metal pins in the edge of the bowl have often survived to this day. Despite the simple, functional design and material (granite) that is difficult to work, many of them have simple decorative elements, the symbolism of which refers in particular to the meaning of the numbers 6, 8, and 12, and, less often, to apocalyptic motifs in the form of the 12 gates of the heavenly Jerusalem.