tournai font
The 12th century Tournai font in Winchester Cathedral.
The magnificent Tournai black marble font has been used to baptize the cathedral's congregation since about 1150 AD. Its square shape lends its sides to tell the story of St Nicholas. He is easily recognized in his bishop’s mitre and crozier and in a cartoon like way is shown going about his kindly acts.
One part of the carving tells the tale of a poor nobleman who comes kneeling before St Nicholas. He has led a life of shame because he cannot afford to give his three daughters a dowry.
St. Nicholas takes pity on the man giving him a purse of gold coins. The nobleman passes it onto his daughter whilst the young man she hopes to marry stands to the side. It is difficult to imagine the impact of such imagery in a time when there were few images created. The font would have been rather like a picture book for those gazing upon it.
A wonderful boat filled with travellers rears up on the other side, with St Nicholas saving lives at sea. The depiction of the boat is thought to be the earliest showing a boat with high prow and fixed stern rudder.
Contrary to its description as a black marble, Tournai stone is in fact a fine grained Lower Carboniferous, dark limestone which takes a polish. It has the appearance of marble when polished and hence its name.
123 pictures in 2023 (88) sacred
tournai font
The 12th century Tournai font in Winchester Cathedral.
The magnificent Tournai black marble font has been used to baptize the cathedral's congregation since about 1150 AD. Its square shape lends its sides to tell the story of St Nicholas. He is easily recognized in his bishop’s mitre and crozier and in a cartoon like way is shown going about his kindly acts.
One part of the carving tells the tale of a poor nobleman who comes kneeling before St Nicholas. He has led a life of shame because he cannot afford to give his three daughters a dowry.
St. Nicholas takes pity on the man giving him a purse of gold coins. The nobleman passes it onto his daughter whilst the young man she hopes to marry stands to the side. It is difficult to imagine the impact of such imagery in a time when there were few images created. The font would have been rather like a picture book for those gazing upon it.
A wonderful boat filled with travellers rears up on the other side, with St Nicholas saving lives at sea. The depiction of the boat is thought to be the earliest showing a boat with high prow and fixed stern rudder.
Contrary to its description as a black marble, Tournai stone is in fact a fine grained Lower Carboniferous, dark limestone which takes a polish. It has the appearance of marble when polished and hence its name.
123 pictures in 2023 (88) sacred