Mouswald

Described in Walker (1887) as one of several fonts known to have been in a private collection in 1792. The vertical sides of the round basin are plain with the exception of the very defaced coat-of-arms of the ancient family of Torthorwald; the chamfer is equally plain. Walker (ibid.) gives the location of the font in ca. 1887 as "now stands on the lawn in front of the house" [NB: this house would be Friars Carse]. Described and illustrated in Reid (1888-1889) after Walker [cf. supra]. Reid (ibid.) quotes a 1786 source, "Capt. Riddell of Glenriddell" on the identification of the coat of arms "of the ancient family of Thorthorwald", and reports that the font "with several others, similarly acquired, still remains at Friar's Carse" [Riddell was owner of Friars Carse at the time]. An engraving of this font appeared in Archaeology (vol. XI, pl. IX). The font, of which only the basin is known, is cylindrical with a tapering underbowl, and has the coat of arms on the front; it is probably late medieval, perhaps 15th century. [NB: Friars Carse is now [2009] a hotel; we have no information on the present whereabouts of this font]