St. Austell / Saint Austell

Noted in Lysons (1806-1833) as one of a group of Cornish fonts that includes Bodmin, “St. Austell, St. Columb-Minor, Crantock, Cuby, St. Dennis, St. Gorran, Luxulion, Newlyn, Roche, Southill, Tintagell, Veryan, and St. Wen”. Noted and illustrated in Upcott (1818) [with reference to Lyson]. Simpson (1828) lists it as a Norman font but does not give details of it. Described in 'On the ancient stone fonts of Cornwall' (1851): "a richly carved font of Romanesque date. It resembles the example at S. Sampson's, South Hill, in many respects, but is of somewhat better proportions. The foliage, dragons, and ornaments on the sides of the bowl are very similar, and there are two or three of the same fourleaved flowers. The bowl is round, and the rim is ornamented by a richly carved band of moulding. There are heads at the corners resting on slender shafts, and the bowl is supported by a large circular pier. The base is square, but with two broad indentations on opposite sides. (Circa 1150.)" A 1890 B&W photograph of the font and cover in context by Francis Frith can be found at [http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/cornwall/st+austell/photos/st+austell_27630.htm] [accessed 27 March 2008]. Described in Cox & Harvey (1907) as a noteworthy example of Norman/Transitional baptismal font. Bond (1908) suggests ornamentation of salamanders or dragons with single knot in the tail. Cox (1912) notes a font of Pentewan stone in this church "of characteristically Cornish design […] fine and richly carved example of late Norm[an] of Bodmin type, with central and 4 angle shafts". Pevsner (1970) notes: "Font. Norman, of Bodmin type, with faces at the corners, 'trees of life', and dragons." Illustrated in A Snap in Time [http://www.caerkief.co.uk/Churches/Austell-St.html] [accessed 13 November 2009]. Two fonts covers documented for this font: one is round and almost flat, with carved top; probably Victorian; the second is a tall wooden structure of openwork, probably also Victorian.