Paignton

Described and illustrated in Clarke (1916) as one of twelve Devon fonts of about the same period [Norman/Late Norman] decorated with a prominent band of honeysuckle or palmetto motif all around the basin [the twelve are: Ashprington, Blackauton, Buckfastleigh, Denbury, Cornworthy, Dartmouth St. Petrock's, Paignton St Andrew's, Plymstock, South Brent, Thurlestone, Ugborough and Wolbororugh, all in Devon]. Clarke (ibid.) describes this as "the largest of the honeysuckle bowls and [...] of the earliest type, with three essential features of saw-tooth, honeysuckle and cable. It is much weather-worn, as it was outdoors for a long time. At the rim is a round moulding, somewhat damaged, but fortunately not tampered with; the two wide grooves indicate that formerly the cover was held in place by pins [...] The condition of the bowl, with no attempt at re-cutting or patching, is quite satisfactory, and it seems strange that anyone with enough perception to respect the bowl should have made a shocking blunder in designing the support. This is composed of eight small pillars on the model of the thirteenth century surrounding a large central pillar, raised on two spreading octagons, one on the other of polished marble." Noted in Pevsner (1952): "Norman, circular, red sandstone, with palmette ornaments badly preserved". In Hoskins (1954) as 12th-century. The Paignton parish church web site [http://www.paigntonparishchurch.co.uk/the-church/short-history/] [accessed 4 March 2009] informs: "On entering the church [i.e., St. John the Baptist, with St. Andrew and St. Boniface] by the West Door, you will see the old Norman Font of local red sandstone. Note the "honeysuckle" ornamentation. In the 15th Century, this font was replaced by a contemporary "Perpendicular" bowl, the original being buried in the churchyard as lumber. Rediscovered 400 years later, it was given away, and after many vicissitudes - including functioning as an ornamental garden vase and later being installed in the daughter church of S. Andrew - it was eventually restored to its ancient place in 1930. (The later font is now at S. Andrew's)."