Castle Semple

Image copyright © [in the public domain]
PD
Results: 5 records
B01: symbol - cross - Latin
B02: design element - motifs - quatrefoil
view of font
view of font - plan and section
INFORMATION
FontID: 00921SEM
Object Type: Baptismal Font1
Church/Chapel: Collegiate Church, now in ruins
Church Patron Saints: St. Bride?
Country Name: Scotland
Location: Renfrewshire
Directions to Site: The ruins are located near lake Lochwinnoch, about 12 km WSW of Paisley, jus W of the A737 (dir. Kilwinning)
Font Location in Church: In the church ruins
Date: 1504?
Century and Period: 16th century
Church Notes: Walker (1887) relates that "the collegiate church was founded in 1504 by John, Lord Sempill, for a provost, six chaplains, two boys, and a sacristan".
Font Notes:
Click to view
Described and illustrated in Walker (1887: 353 and ill. on p. 351); the monolithic basin is an irregular octagon, with a bold bead moulding worked on each angle and also on the upper edge of the bowl. Two of the sides are plain, the other six being ormamented with Latin crosses of different shapes, the upper limbs of one being cut into a leaf-like shape; on the same sides, and round the heads of the crosses, are cut four-leaved figures; all are raised above the surrounding surface. The inside well of the basin is rectangular in shape and placed to the one side "without the slightest regard for symmetry" (ibid., p. 353), quite an odd thing. There is no drain and no base.
COORDINATES
UTM: 30U 399659 6183124
MEDIUM AND MEASUREMENTS
Material: stone, type unknown
Number of Pieces: one
Font Shape: octagonal
Basin Interior Shape: rectangular
Basin Exterior Shape: octagonal
Diameter (inside rim): 27.5 x 20 cm*
Diameter (includes rim): 57.5 cm
Basin Depth: 12.5 cm
Height of Basin Side: 42.5 cm
Basin Total Height: 42.5 cm
Font Height (less Plinth): 42.5 cm [base missing]
Notes on Measurements: Walker (1887: 353) *NB: the inside well is rectangular
REFERENCES
Walker, J. Russell, "Scottish Baptismal Fonts", 21 or N.S. 9, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1887, pp. 346-448; p. 353 and ill. on p. 351