Hildesheim No. 1
Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
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Results: 24 records
B01: New Testament - Public life of Christ - baptism of Christ
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: digital image of a photograph taken 27 June 1997 by BSI
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0
B02: Old Testament - the ark ~ story of Noah
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: digital image of a photograph taken 27 June 1997 by BSI
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0
B03: New Testament - events from Resurrection to Pentecost - Virgin Mary - coronation of Mary in heaven - St. Godehard -- St. Epiphanius
![Virgin crowned and enthroned in heaven; to her right [viewer's left] St. Godehard; to her left [viewer's right] Epiphanius](/static-50478a99ec6f36a15d6234548c59f63da52304e5/compressed/1050413002_compressed.png)
Scene Description: Virgin crowned and enthroned in heaven; to her right [viewer's left] St. Godehard; to her left [viewer's right] Epiphanius
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: digital image of a photograph taken 27 June 1997 by BSI
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0
B04: Old Testament - Story of Moses - Exodus - crossing of the Red Sea - dividing the Red Sea
Scene Description: Moses parting the waters of the Red Sea
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: digital image of a photograph taken 27 June 1997 by BSI
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BS01: Apostle or saint - Evangelists - St. Luke (and prophet Jeremiah)
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Werbefotografie Hermann Wehmeyer, [1996?]
Image Source: digital image from a colour slide: Werbefotografie Hermann Wehmeyer, [1996?]
Copyright Instructions: PERMISSION NOT AVAILABLE -- IMAGE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE
BS02: Apostle or saint - Evangelists - St. Matthew (and prophet Isaiah?)
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Werbefotografie Hermann Wehmeyer, [1996?]
Image Source: digital image from a colour slide: Werbefotografie Hermann Wehmeyer, [1996?]
Copyright Instructions: PERMISSION NOT AVAILABLE -- IMAGE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE
BS03: Apostle or saint - Evangelists - St. John (and prophet Ezekiel)
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Werbefotografie Hermann Wehmeyer, [1996?]
Image Source: digital image from a colour slide: Werbefotografie Hermann Wehmeyer, [1996?]
Copyright Instructions: PERMISSION NOT AVAILABLE -- IMAGE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE
BS04: Apostle or saint - Evangelists - St. Mark (and prophet Daniel)
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Werbefotografie Hermann Wehmeyer, [1996?]
Image Source: digital image from a colour slide: Werbefotografie Hermann Wehmeyer, [1996?]
Copyright Instructions: PERMISSION NOT AVAILABLE -- IMAGE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE
LBSF01: symbol - the four rivers of paradise (springing from a fountain)
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Werbefotografie Hermann Wehmeyer, [1996?]
Image Source: digital image from a colour slide: Werbefotografie Hermann Wehmeyer, [1996?]
Copyright Instructions: PERMISSION NOT AVAILABLE -- IMAGE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE
LID01: New Testament - Childhood and youth of Christ - Massacre of the Innocents
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: digital image of a photograph taken 27 June 1997 by BSI
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LID02: New Testament - Public life of Christ - Christ with Mary Magdalene
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: digital image of a photograph taken 27 June 1997 by BSI
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0
LID03: virtues and vices - Charity vs Envy
Scene Description: Misericordia and Invidia
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: digital image of a photograph taken 27 June 1997 by BSI
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0
LID04: Old Testament - Story of Moses - with Aron before the altar [12 staves of Aaron]
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: digital image of a photograph taken 27 June 1997 by BSI
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0
view of font and cover
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: digital image of a photograph taken 27 June 1997 by BSI
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0
view of font and cover
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: digital image of a photograph taken 27 June 1997 by BSI
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0
view of font and cover
Scene Description: Source caption: "Baptismal font (replica), Hildesheim Cathedral, c. 1225 AD, replica by Gebrüder Kusthardt, c. 1900 AD - Adolphus Busch Hall - Harvard University - Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA"
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]
Image Source: digital photograph taken 17 May 2017 by Daderot [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baptismal_font_(replica),_Hildesheim_Cathedral,_c._1225_AD,_replica_by_Gebrüder_Kusthardt,_c._1900_AD_-_Adolphus_Busch_Hall_-_Harvard_University_-_DSC05668.jpg] [accessed 17 February 2019]
Copyright Instructions: CC-PD-Mark / CC-Zero
view of font and cover
Scene Description: Source caption: "Baptismal font (replica), Hildesheim Cathedral, c. 1225 AD, replica by Gebrüder Kusthardt, c. 1900 AD - Adolphus Busch Hall - Harvard University - Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA"
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]
Image Source: digital photograph taken 17 May 2017 by Daderot [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baptismal_font_(replica),_Hildesheim_Cathedral,_c._1225_AD,_replica_by_Gebrüder_Kusthardt,_c._1900_AD_-_Adolphus_Busch_Hall_-_Harvard_University_-_DSC05666.jpg] [accessed 17 February 2019]
Copyright Instructions: CC-PD-Mark / CC-Zero
view of font
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]
Image Source: digital image of a 1840 illustration -- Heft "Der Dom zu Hildesheim, Zweiter und dritter Theil der Abbildungen, bestehend aus 13 Tafeln, Hildesheim 1840" (ohne Verfasserangabe) [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hildesheim_Bronzetaufe_Zeichnung.jpg] [accessed 27 March 2010]
Copyright Instructions: PD
view of church exterior - northwest view
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Jutta77, 2015
Image Source: digital photograph taken 6 April 2015 by Jutta77 [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_cathedral_of_Hildesheim_St._Mary._Built_in_872_AD._At_it's_eastern_side_you'll_find_a_rose_tree_more_than_1000_years_old._That_is_why_the_rose_is_the_symbol_of_this_town.jpg] [accessed 25 February 2020]
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0
view of church exterior in context
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Hildesheimer Michel, 2013
Image Source: digital photograph taken 30 September 2013 by Hildesheimer Michel [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Der_Dom_Mariä_Himmelfahrt_zu_Hildesheim.jpg] [accessed 25 February 2020]
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0
view of church interior - crypt - detail
Scene Description: after the restoration
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Tilman2007, 2017
Image Source: digital photograph taken 1 December 2017 by Tilman2007 [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Domhof,_Dom,_Krypta_Hildesheim_20171201_001.jpg] [accessed 25 February 2020]
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-4.0
view of church interior - crypt - detail
Scene Description: Source caption: "St. Mary's Cathedral, Hildesheim, Fundamente der Marienkapelle von 815 in der Krypta"
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Torbenbrinker, 2011
Image Source: digital photograph taken 5 June 2011 by Torbenbrinker [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Krypta815.2.jpg] [accessed 25 February 2020]
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0
view of font and cover in context
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Tilman2007, 2017
Image Source: digital photograph taken 1 December 2017 by Tilman2007 [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Domhof,_Dom,_Taufbecken_Hildesheim_20171201_001.jpg] [accessed 25 February 2020]
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-4.0
information
INFORMATION
Font ID: 00098HIL
Object Type: Baptismal Font1
Date Visited: 1997-06-27
Font Date: ca. 1225-1226?
Font Century and Period/Style: 13th century (early?), Late Romanesque
Workshop/Group/Artisan: Wilbernus / Westfalen cylindrical type
Cognate Fonts: the Rostock font, for the shape, not for the iconographic program. A copy of this font exists in Buckfast Abbey (Devon, England) -- there is a replica of this font by Gebrüder Kusthardt, c. 1900, at the Adolphus Busch Hall, Harvard University [is there another one at the Bode Museum, Berlin?]
Church / Chapel Name: Dom Mariä Himmelfahrt / Hildesheimer Dom
Font Location in Church: Inside the church, in a side chapel, the last on the north-west side, in the Dom.
Church Patron Saint(s): The Assumption of St. Mary
Church Notes: The font is quite accessible, in the cathedral of St. Mary, in an open north-west chapel.
Church Address: Domhof 4, Hildesheim, Germany -- Tel.: +49 5121 17916-40
Site Location: Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany, Europe
Directions to Site: Located at the confluence of roads 1, 6, 243 and 494, 30 km SE of Hanover
Ecclesiastic Region: Bistum Hildesheim
Additional Comments: Baptism. Personifications of four virtues combined with four rivers holding up bowl.(Tigris=Fortitudo [soldier]) (Euphrates=Justitia, scales) (Phison=Prudentia, Elderly man and book and serpent in medallion) (Geon=Temperantia) Nordstrom text has full inscription.Four figures hold up the tub-shaped bowl. They all carry jugs of water.
Font Notes:
Click to view
Described in detail with transcriptions of the inscriptions in Didron (1859), with suggested date in the 13th century. Noted and illustrated in Lübke (1870) as late Romanesque. Bond (1908), who dates the font to c. 1260, is one of several who suggest that it was the bell foundries and casters who made these bronze fonts. Described and illustrated in Addison (1914) as "among the most interesting late Romanesque examples in Germany". As an added curiosity Addison (ibid.) notes "a perfectly shaped pretzel" on the table at the Last Supper scene. Described and illustrated in Schiller (1971). Höhl (2009) names Wilbernus as the master responsible for the font. Magnificent covered cast bronze bucket-shape font resting on four figures dated to the first half of the 13th century (estimations vary from 1210 to 1260). The artistic quality, the wealth of the iconographic program and the epigraphic presence of this font are all remarkable. The four figures which support the font are the rivers of Paradise (Pison, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates). The basin sides contain a lower set of circles with a depiction of the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance; above these, another set of circles containing prophets; in the spandrels above the latter, the four symbols of the evangelists; in between these, four major scenes enclosed in trilobed arches: the Baptism of Christ, Joshua's crossing of the Jordan, Moses crossing of the Red Sea and Mary enthroned with child Jesus, with cathedral saints, the donor of the font (dean Wilbernus) and St Epiphanius kneel before Mary. On the cover, also four scenes: Aaron's flowering rod, the Massacre of the Innocents, Mary Magdalene at the pharise's and the figure of Misericordia; above, in the spandrels, more O.T. figures. [NB: a copy of this font exists in Buckfast Abbey, in Devon, England. cf. Index entry under that name]. Barnet, Brandt and Lutz (2013) give the material of the font as: "cast in copper alloy"
COORDINATES
UTM: 32U 564811 5778021
Latitude & Longitude (Decimal): 52.148889, 9.947222
Latitude & Longitude (DMS): 52° 8′ 56″ N, 9° 56′ 50″ E
MEDIUM AND MEASUREMENTS
Material: metal, bronze [copper alloy]
Font Shape: bucket-shaped, mounted
Basin Interior Shape: round
Basin Exterior Shape: round
Drainage System: centre hole in basin & base
Rim Thickness: 1.5 cm
Diameter (inside rim): 97 cm
Diameter (includes rim): 100 cm
Height of Basin Side: 60 cm
Basin Total Height: 60 cm
Height of Base: 40 cm
Font Height (less Plinth): 100 cm [lid height not included] - 170 cm with lid
Notes on Measurements: BSI [NB: the total height is given as 1 m. 70 in Lasteyrie, 1926-1927, v. 2, p. 516]
INSCRIPTION
Inscription Language: Latin
Inscription Location: Inscriptions are located on the rim of the bowl and lid, on the lower edging of the bowl, and around the arches of the arcade.
Inscription Text: (At the basin rim): +QVATUOR IRRORANT PARADISJ FLVMINA MUNDVM / + UJTVTES Q[ue] RIGANT TOTIDEM COR CRIMINE MUNDUM / + ORA PROPHETARUM QVE UATICJNATA FUERUNT / + HEC RATA SCRIPTORES EWANGELII CECINERVNT
(At the basin bottom edge): OS MUTANS PHISON E[st] PRUDENTI[a] SIMILATUS + TEMP[er]IEM GEON T[er]RE DESIGNAT HIAT[us] + EST VELOX TIGRIS Q[u]O FORTIS SIGNIFICAT[ur] + FRUGIFER EUFRATES EST JUSTITIAQ[ue] NOTAT[ur]
(At the virtues): PRUDENTIA ESTOTE PRUDENTE[s] / SIC[ut] SERPENTES] TEMPERANTIA / OM[n]E TULIT PU[n]CTU[m] Q[ui] MISCUIT VTILE DVLCI] / FORTITIDO [VIR Q[u]I D[omi]NAT[ur] A[n]I[m]O SVO FORTIOR ES[t] EX/PUGNATO/RE VERB[ium]] IUSTICIA [O[mn]IA I[n] N[umero], M[en]SURA [et] PON[dere] PO[no]
(At the prophets): YSAYAS PROPHETA / EGREDIETOR VI[r]GA DE RA[dice] YES[se]
HIEREMJAS PROPHET / REGNAB[it] REX [et] SAPIENS ER[it]
DANIEL PROPHET A+ OM[ne]S P[o]P[u]L[i] [et] T[r]IB[us] [et] LINGUE IP[s]I S[er]VIE[nt]
EZECHIEL PROPHETA SI[mi]LITUDO A[n]I[m]ALIU[m] [et] HIC AS[pectus] EO[rum]
(At the Evangelitsts): S[an]C[tu]S MATHEVS EWANG[e]L[ist]A IPSE SALVV[m] FACIET P[o]P[u]L[u]M SUU[m] A P[e]C[catis] EO[rum]
S[anctus] LVCAS EWANG[e]L[ist]A DABIT ILLJ D[omi]N[u]S SEDE[m] D[avi]D P[atris] EI[us]
S[ANCTUS] MARCVS EWANG[e]L[ist]A IPSE VOS B/ABTIZAB[it] I[n] SP[iritV S[an]C[t]O [et] IGNE
S[anctus] IOHANNES EYYANG[e]L[ist]A UERBU[m] CARO F[a]C[tu]M E[st]
AVE MARIA GR[at]IA PLENA / S[an]C[t]A MARIA
WILBERN[us]. UENIA. SPE. DAT LAVDIQ[ue] MARIE
+HOC DECVS ECCLESIE SVSCIPE CHR[ist]E PIE
(At the Red Sea crossing): MOYSES P[er] MARE P[er] MOYSEN FUGIT EGJPTV[m] GEN[us] HORV[m] / P[er] CHR[istu]M LAVAC[r]O FUGIM[us] TENEBRAS UICJORVM
(At the Baptism of Christ): HIC / EST / FILI[us] M[eu]S DILECTUS
(Below): HIC BABTIZATUR CHR[istu]S QUO S[an]C[t]IFICATUR / NOB[is] BABTI[s]MA T[r]IBUENS IN FLAMJNE CRISMA
(At Joshue's crossing of the Jordan): AD PAT[r]IA[m] IOSUE DVCE FLVMEN TRANSJT HEBREVS / DVCIMUR AD VITA[m], TE DVCE FONTE DEUS
(On the lid): MVNDA UT JNMVNDA SACRI BAPTOSMATIS UNDA / SIC IVS TE FUSUS SANGUIS LAVACHRI TENET VSUS / PAS[t] LAVAT ATTRACTA LACRIMIS CONFESSIO FACTA / CRIMINE FEDATJS LAVACHRUM FIT OPUS PIETATIS+
(At Aaron rod): MOYSES / AARON (and in the phylactery): P[ro]PH[et]AM SVS[citabit] DE F[ratibus] V[estris] (and, below, king Salomon): SALOMON REX (holds a text): FLORES MEI FRUCTUS HONORIS ET HONESTATIS; (on the arch above): UIRGA VIGET FLORE PARIT ALMA VIGENTE PVDORE
(At the massacre of the Innocents): HERODES / Q[u]OS DOLOR OSTENTAT CRVOR A CRVDELE CRUENTAT, (announced by Jeremiah): HIEREMIAS / P[ropheta] (in a phylactery): UOX I[n] RAMA AVD[ita], PLO[ratus] ET V[lulatus] / R[achel] P[lorans] F[ilios] S[uos]
(At the Simon the pharisee): HIC SI E[ss]ET P[rop]H[et]A SCI[ret] V[tique] Q[ualis] ET / Q[uae] E[st] MV[lier] Q[uae] T[angit] E[um] (while the phylactery held by Jesus reads): REMITTVNTUR EI PECCATA MVLTA (and, at the arch above): SPE REFICIT PECTUS LACRJMJS A FLENTE REFECTUS. (Below is king David) D[avi]D / REX (holding a text): CIBAB[is] NOS P[an]E LA[crimarum] [et] PO[tum] D[abis] / N[obis] I[n] LA[crimis} I[n] M[en]S[ura]
(The scene with mercy): MISERICORDIA (has on the arch above): +DAT UENI[am] SCELERIJ P[er] OPES INOPVM MISERERJ (below is Isaiah): YSAIAS P[ropheta] (holding the text): FRANGE ESVR[ient] PA[nem] T[uum] [et] EG[enos] / VA[gosque] IND[uc] I[n] DO[mum] T[uam]
[?? PETRE CONFERT ISTUT TIBI DONUM UT PER TE SUMMUM POSSIT HABERE BONUM?? -- not found in Höhl (2009)]
Inscription Notes: Favreau's article provides French translations for all the inscriptions, as well as sources and contexts for of the original texts.
Inscription Source: transcriptions are recorded in Robert Favreau's invaluable article "Les inscriptions..." (cf. Favreau (1985, p. 114-140) [NB: complemented here with the transcriptions in Höhl (2009)]
LID INFORMATION
Date: 1210-1250
Material: metal, bronze
Apparatus: Yes
REFERENCES
- Addison, Julia de Wolf, Arts and crafts in the Middle Ages: a description of Medieval workmanship in several of the departments of applied art, together with some accounts of special artisans in the early Renaissance, Boston: L.C. Page & Company, 1914, p. 139-140 and pl. opp. p. 140
- Barnet, Peter, Medieval treasures from Hildesheim ; Catalog of an exhibition held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, September 17, 2013-January 5, 2014., New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2013, p. 104
- Bond, Francis, Fonts and Font Covers, London: Waterstone, 1985 c1908, p. 43, 76 and ill. on p. 118
- Champeaux, Gérard de, Introduction au monde des symboles, La Pierre-qui-vire, Yonne: Zodiaque, 1972, p. 235-236
- Davies, J.G., The Architectural Setting of Baptism, London: Barrie and Rockliff, 1962, p. 68, 71 84, 130
- Didron, Ainé, "Bronzes et orfévrerie du Moyen Age", 19, Annales archéologiques, 1859, pp. 5-221; 178-187
- Enlart, Camille, Manuel d'archéologie française depuis les temps mérovingiens jusqu'à la Renaissance, Paris: Alphonse Picard & fils, 1902, p. 781
- Favreau, Robert, "Inscription des fonts baptismaux d'Hildesheim", 38, 2, Cahiers de civilisation medievale, 1985, pp. 115-140; p. 114-140 (inscriptions)
- Ghislain, Jean-Claude, "La cuve baptismale romane de Wauthier-Braine", VII, Annales du Cercle historique et folklorique de Braine-le-Château, Tubize et des Régions voisines, 1986, pp. 89-[120]; p. 95-96
- Höhl, Claudia, Das Taufbecken des Wilbernus, mit Fotografien von Manfred Zimmermann, Regensburg: Schnell & Steiner, 2009, [throughout]
- Lallov, William J., "The Font and the Baptistry", 3, Liturgical Arts, 1934, pp. 80-96; p. 89
- Lasteyrie du Saillant, Robert Charles, conte de, Architecture réligieuse en France à l'époque gothique (éd. posthume par Marcel Aubert)[2 vols.], Paris: A. Picard, 1926-1927, vol. 2, p. 515-516
- Lübke, Wilhelm, Ecclesiastical in Gemany during the Middle Ages [tranl. by L. A. Wheatley], London: Cassell, Petter, & Galpin, 1870, p. 188 and fig. 142
- Nordström, Folke, Mediaeval Baptismal Fonts: An Iconographical Study, Stockholm: Universitetet i Umeå, 1984, p. 16, 32, 35, 39, 98, 105-107, 117, figs. 5, 62.
- Schiller, Gertrud, Iconography of Christian Art, Greenwich, Conn.: New York Graphic Society, 1971, p. 141 and ill. 379
- Viollet-le-Duc, Eugène-Emmanuel, Dictionnaire raisonné de l'architecture française du XIe au XVIe siècle, Paris: Morel & Cie, 1854-1868, t. 5, p. 540