Villaines-la-Gonais

Described and illustrated in the Inventaire général... (1983) as a double-font of the late 15th or early 16th century; it is made of limestone and has a commonly-found design: the two unequal basins are carved from a sigle block of stone and have a linking middle part [cf. Index entry for La Baussaine, etc.]. The bases of the two bowls are separate: the smaller one consists of a round shaft and a square lower base with its upper angles chamfered; the base of the larger basin is what makes this font special: perpendicular to the length of the font are two sedente lions and an angel holding a shield between their heads [similar to the one at La Baussaine's font - cf. Index entry]. There appear to be some incisions on the stone surface, above the head of one of the lions, although they could be just later-date graffiti. Described and illustrated in Le patrimoine... Sarthe (2001, v. 1: 510), which informs that this is not the original font of this church; the floor of the church still shows traces of an octagonal font of much smaller size there [the whereabouts of this font are not known]