Bere Ferrers / Beer Ferrers / Beer Ferris / Beerferris / Bereferrers

Described in Lysons (1806-1822): "The font at Beer Ferrers consists of a truncated polygonal shaft, resting upon four foliated ornaments, encircled by a band of rather coarse execution". Listed in Cox & Harvey (1907) as having a baptismal font of the Norman period. Described and illustrated in Stabb (1908): "There is an old font bearing the appearance of having been carved out of the capital of a pillar turned upside down [...], but possibly the idea of the carving may have been taken from a capital." Described and illustrated in Clarke (1914): "A very remarkable font, of limestone; the girdle, which is set very low, is formed of a heavy band of the Norman nail-head. This ornament is the forerunner of the dog-tooth of the succeeding style; I think its use for the girdle is rare; I do not know of any other example. The rest of the font has a certain classical character -- as translated by the local stonemason. Above the girdle is a curious design suggesting a large shell of the percten type, with incised divergent lines to represent flutings: the volute of the shell is expanded , and becomes an Ionic volute. There are four shells, one for each face ; the volute uppermost. Above, the bowl is plain, and shows marks of the axe; they are fine and narrow, thus indicating that the font was made rather late in the Norman period. Below the girdle is a band of plantain leaf ornament, which is carefully designed so as to carry on the lines of moulding which frame the shells. Perhaps the sculptor had an ambitious bent, and having seen classical capitals of columns tried to produce something similar for this font. The volute for the north-east is gone, and the rim is broken in some places. There are four traces of staples or hinges for the cover. The lead lining has received a cout of colour wash. The font stands on a modern octagonal plinth. This font more than any other is perhaps one to which the analogy of the chalice may be applied, for the girdle has so much projection that it may almost be looked on as a knop. But the bowl does not at all resemble the bowl of a chalice, so it cannot be classed as a chalice-font." Noted in The Aniquary (isssue of October 7th, 1871, p. 144). In Pevsner (1952): Font. Circular, Norman, perhaps made up of two capitals. If so they would be evidence of a previous Norman church." Described in Betjeman (1958): "Vigorous Norman font of Hurdwick stone".