Author Topic: Old marble baptismal font I purchased (pics) (Read 3668 times)

Ursus · « **on:** September 30, 2015, 08:37:28 PM »

So I'm at an auction the other night for my work. There's always random things that come and go.

This baptismal font came up and had no bids, no interest. I purchased it literally for pocket change for fear it would be smashed and disposed or repurposed for something evil.

As fas as I know it came from a local church, and who knows how many souls have gone through the Sacrament. History as far I asked was it cherished by couple who held onto it but had to move and couldn't take it with them.

I've talked with my mother to help find a proper home for it and get it out of the auction house.

Can anyone share information or insights on this piece?

I immediately noted the IHS carved in front. I didn't move it but I thing the one piece is a cap to the bowl.

Here's the photos I took. I'll have help tomorrow to pick it up and get a better look it.

JPaul · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2015, 08:54:47 PM »

No doubt another victim of a conciliar wreckovation.

obediens · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2015, 09:05:22 PM »

I bet Matthew could use it for his chapel!

Matthew · « **Reply #3 on:** September 30, 2015, 09:09:17 PM »

Transportation would probably be the issue... assuming he wanted to donate it, that is.

Wow...is there usually high-end Catholic church equipment at these auction houses?

It's too hard to get similarly "lucky" in my area -- in south Texas, Mexicans are quite appreciative of Catholic art, statuary, Gothic anything, anything gold or brass, etc.

Unlike white protestants, they're not stupid in that regard. Just for starters, they're usually Catholic, at least culturally so. Even if a given Mexican is apostate, he might get it because it "looks nice" or his mother might like it. Their families stay very close, too, so chances are there's someone "religious" in the family. The faith is never very far away -- one or two generations at most.

Ursus · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2015, 10:31:47 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

Transportation would probably be the issue... assuming he wanted to donate it, that is.

Wow...is there usually high-end Catholic church equipment at these auction houses?

It's too hard to get similarly "lucky" in my area -- in south Texas, Mexicans are quite appreciative of Catholic art, statuary, Gothic anything, anything gold or brass, etc.

Yes there quite a lot up here in the northeast. Many times things don't sell at all at auction as in you could buy full church statues for $1 if you wanted. You can buy a closed church lock stock and barrel for $30k.

If anyone has logistical means we could literally pack trucks and bring it out west.

I'd be more than happy to get these things to the proper Catholics if the people or opportunity presents itself.

Matthew · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2015, 10:34:16 PM »

Yeah, I've priced those large full size statues -- anywhere from $5,500 for a common image like the Blessed Virgin Mary, to $7000 or more for a statue of St. Dominic.

Extremely expensive.

Neil Obstat · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2015, 09:37:10 AM »

Quote from: Ursus

So I'm at an auction the other night for my work. There's always random things that come and go.

This baptismal font came up and had no bids, no interest. I purchased it literally for pocket change for fear it would be smashed and disposed or repurposed for something evil.

As fas as I know it came from a local church, and who knows how many souls have gone through the Sacrament. History as far I asked was it cherished by couple who held onto it but had to move and couldn't take it with them.

I've talked with my mother to help find a proper home for it and get it out of the auction house.

Can anyone share information or insights on this piece?

I immediately noted the IHS carved in front. I didn't move it but I thing the one piece is a cap to the bowl.

Here's the photos I took. I'll have help tomorrow to pick it up and get a better look it.

The bowl-shaped part with the green "18" sticker appears to be the LID, and is upside-down. The brass tube sticking out is the hinge, and that should go into a brass socket in the font base. The lid swings sideways to open the font for use.

Quote

Since these photos only show the parts in one arrangement, the appearance of the part below the upside-down top is covered up. As it is, it looks like there is a metallic bowl missing, that would have held the holy water. Sometimes parts like that are made of brass and it might have been removed for its recycle value.

songbird · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2015, 10:08:54 AM »

Holy water is different from regular water. Regular water is used for baptism.