Beautiful Italian gilt Bronze Holy Water Stoup .

Beautiful Italian gilt Bronze Holy Water Stoup .

in the center depicting the Virgin holding the Child with four cherubs on the sides of which 2 hold the crown, in the lower part the shell basin for holy water, supported by a cherub

Italy end 1700s early 1800s

Size 16 x 7 x 4 cm

Vessels intended for the use of holy water are of very ancient origin, and archaeological testimony compensates, to a certain extent, for the silence which historical and liturgical documents maintain in their regard. Holy water fonts may be divided into three categories: stationary fonts, placed at the entrance to churches; portable fonts, placed for aspersions and sacramental rites; and private fonts, in which holy water is kept in private houses.

The holy water font was originally the fountain for ablutions, cantharus, or phiala, placed in the centre of the atrium of the basilica and still found in the East, especially at Mount Athos, at Djebeil in Syria, and at Haia-Napa in the Island of Cyprus. These fountains were used by the faithful who, before entering the church, washed their hands and feet in accordance with a rite probably derived from Judaismand even yet observed in Mussulman countries. When the atrium of the Christian basilica was reduced to the proportions of a narrow court or a simple porch, the cantharus gave way to a less pretentious structure.