Saint-Ferreol / Saint-Ferréol / St-Ferreol

Described and illustrated in Mesplé (1970: 135 and figs. 5, 6, 12) as one of series of octagonal mounted baptismal fonts listed for this area. Listed also in Miquel (1997: 53-54). They are decorated with a variety of motifs and/or symbols on the basin sides [both authors mention the fonts at Sajas, Mauran and Cazères as related in this region, but Mesplé (ibid.) adds Eoux, Lias and Salles-sur-Garonne]. Mesplé (ibid.) explains that the basin is octagonal, but the sides are irregular, alternating wide and narrow sides; the iconographic program is described as consisting of stars, a Greek cross with trefoil ends, two bells, two coats of arms of Comminges [the diocese to which this town belonged], an inscription dating the font to 1319 and another inscription with just the word "PAX", though the characters of the latter make Mesplé think that they are a later addition [Mesplé (ibid.) mentions that one of the sides of the font at Salles-sur-Garonne may have undergone the same later addition when the font was moved to the centre of the baptistery and the need to adorn the blind side was perceived -- cf. Index entry for Salles-sur-Garonne]. The basin is raised on a plain square pedestal. The inner well of the basin appears now divided into two equal parts, in the later French baptismal font manner [NB: this is probably not an original partition].