Unanua No. 1 / Hunano / Hunanoa / Unanoa / Unanu / Unenu

Described and illustrated in the Catálogo Monumental de Navarra (1990?- , vol. V*: 639 and pl. 604) as a medieval baptismal font; cylindrical basin with hemispherical underbowl; the sides of the basin are ornamented with human figures, four-branch plants, stars, and flowers and wheels inscribed inside circles; the underbowl is decorated with a human figure, two quatrefoils, plants, ball and other motifs; the inside of the basin well has two halves: one is a semicircular cavity matching the contour of the basin side, whereas the other has been carved only partially to provide three small wells to contain the holy oils, chrism, etc. Described and illustrated in Domeño (1992: 50-53 et al.) as the only baptismal font in Navarre with a baptismal scene carved on it; Domeño (ibid.) describes the motifs in more detail; two of the descriptions could be argued against: one is whether or not the two human figures that stand to either side of the baptismal scene are part of it; the figure on the left has its hands held together low; the one on the right holds an long object that could be seen as a candle; the other contention may be the description of the rounded strokes as a 'construction of round arches...' ["una construcción con doble arco de medio punto que tiende ligeramente a la herradura"]; the latter could very well be seen as plants, probably acanthus. Two large indentations have been made on the sides at some point after the initial carving to accommodate the large hardware of the old cover, though only one of the metal pieces remains now. The upper and lower ends of the basin side are framed with a rope moulding all around. Neither of the two previous sources gives a precise date for the font, other than referring to it as medieval; the Gran Enciclopedia Navarra (1990, v. 11: 161) suggests the 16th century [NB: there is however a reference in Domeño (ibid. p. 50) which may indicate a date assignation when she refers to the 'contemporary custom, in the 12th century, of practising immersion baptism' [="siguiendo la costumbre de este momento (siglo XII) de aplicar el Bautismo por la fórmula de inmersión"]. Regardless of the iconographic program, if the internal division of the basin is not a later addition, the font must be much later than the 12th century; if, however, the inner basin divisions are a later addition, the program could date the font to the late-Romanesque period. The font is badly damaged in several spots, especially on the carved sides of the basin; the rim is much worn [another case of the stone used to sharpen Napoleon's sabres? or agricultural implements?] The base is a cylindrical pedestal, plain except for a roll moulding at either end. The entry for this location in Navarchivo [Archivo del patrimonio inmaterial de Navarra] [http://navarchivo.unavarra.es/index.php/es/localidades/pamplona/unanua-ergoyena] [accessed 8 February 2018] reads: "En el primer tramo de la nave, bajo el coro alto, hay una pila bautismal pétrea, cuya copa se decora con relieves figurativos muy estilizados. Es de notable tamaño y parece corresponder al siglo XVI.