Henfynyw No. 1 / Henfyniw / Henvynyw

Described in Tyrrell-Green (1928) as one of three baptismal fonts of the Norman period in Cardiganshire that are ornamented with a band of "circular rosette-like figures" around the outer sides of the basins [the other two are Bettws-Bledrws and Llansantffraed]. "The design of the ornament band being identical in these three cases, one mind was evidently responsible for it, and if the fonts were actually not executed by the same hand, it would seem that a school of masons or carvers must have been at work. Such school may well have had its quarters at the Cistercian Abbey of Strata Florida in the same county. It is further remarkable that the ornament of these fonts, being formed by arrangements of circles, resembles some of the very curious carved work of Strata Florida. In the abbey ruins may still be seen considerable remains of a sort of diaper pattern which apparently adorned the wall of the chancel, and the design of which is formed of concentric circles". Peter Lord, in Diwylliant... (1998-2003) dates both these fonts to the 12th century. Thurlby (2006) notes the similarities of the rosette motif on the fonts at Llanarth, Bettws Bledrws, as well as the one on the Llansantffraed, and pursues the possible link of these with the work at Strata Florida [NB: Thurlby (ibid.) informs that this font is now [ca. 2006?] back at Henfynyw church].