Kareby

Noted and illustrated in Montelius & Brusewitz (1878), a basin similar in shape to the ones from Harestad and Norum; this same source quotes a transcription of the Runic inscription on this font by G. Stephens's Old Northern Runic Monuments (p. 665): "Rade sa er kann, a mik Nor kirkia, Laurentius Gerthe i Okr", with variations due to Runic character interpretation [cf. an alternative interpretation of the inscription below]. Illustrated in Hildebrand (1907). In Roosval (1918). In Hallbäck (1961) who finds similarities with the baptismal at Resteröd and dates it to the 12th century and to stonemasons Sven and Torbjörn. Noted and illustrated in the SHM Medeltidens bildvärld [ref.: 930513F4] as the basin of a Torbjörn (Sven-Torbjörngruppen) baptismal font made of soapstone in the mid-12th century bearing a Runic inscription menttioning the name "Torbjörn"; it is raised on a modern granite base. No cover present. The Göteborgs stadsmuseum reports holding a plaster copy of the original [ref.: G.M. 225]. Described and illustrated in the as a baptismal font of the mid-12th century made of soapstone, with a Runic inscription that includes the name 'Torbjörn' in it and of the group known as "Sven-Torbjörngruppen". Spurkland (English ed. translated by Van der Hoek, 2005) gives the meaning of the Old Norse Runic inscription as: "Let him who can read the name Orklaski", in which "Orklaski" is a cryptogram for "Torbjörn", the master who has given the name to the fonts of this group: "Sven-Torbjörngruppen". Irregular square basin made of soapstone, with tapering sides [now raised on a modern granite base]; the sides are carved in shallow relief with the following motifs [L->R]: 1)a Latin cross in a field of vines and/or dragons; 2)pair of facing lions (?) at a water source (?), under a row curls; 3)plant or tree [Tree of Life?] surrounded by curls; 4)vine-like dragon on the upper band; Runic inscription in the middle band; braid in the lower band. The inner well is also square and has a groove at the top to fit a font cover; there is a drain hole in the centre; no lining. [NB: the plaster copy at the Göteborgs stadsmuseum probably indicates that the font was held at the Museum for some time in the past]