Gdansk No. 1 / Dantzig / Danzig / Gdańsk / Gyddanyzc / Kdanc

Image and permission received from the author (e-mail of 5 October 2005)

Results: 30 records

Click to view images and/or subjects

design element - motifs

Scene Description: floral, foliage, etc., all over the different levels of the base

Image Source: Digital photograph taken 8 August 2005 supplied by Alekasandra Staniszewska

Copyright Instructions: Image and permission received from the author (e-mail of 5 October 2005)

design element - motifs - foliage

Image Source: Digital photograph taken 8 August 2005 supplied by Alekasandra Staniszewska

Copyright Instructions: Image and permission received from the author (e-mail of 5 October 2005)

inscription

Scene Description: on two levels of the basin sides

Image Source: Digital photograph taken 8 August 2005 supplied by Alekasandra Staniszewska

Copyright Instructions: Image and permission received from the author (e-mail of 5 October 2005)

scene [unidentified] - 8

Image Source: Digital photograph taken 8 August 2005 supplied by Alekasandra Staniszewska

Copyright Instructions: Image and permission received from the author (e-mail of 5 October 2005)

view of basin

Image Source: Digital photograph taken 8 August 2005 supplied by Alekasandra Staniszewska

Copyright Instructions: Image and permission received (e-mail of 5 October 2005)

view of basin and cover

Scene Description: Source caption: "Interior of the Church of St. Mary in Gdańsk"

Image Source: edited detail of a digital photograph 12 July 2010 by deror_avi [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St._Mary_in_Gdańsk_IMG_2744.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church exterior

Image Source: Digital photograph taken 8 August 2005 supplied by Alekasandra Staniszewska

Copyright Instructions: Image and permission received from the author (e-mail of 5 October 2005)

view of church exterior

Image Source: Digital photograph taken 8 August 2005 supplied by Alekasandra Staniszewska

Copyright Instructions: Image and permission received from the author (e-mail of 5 October 2005)

view of church interior - detail

Scene Description: Source caption: "A series of metal sculptures arranged at the western end of the Church of St Mary in Gdansk." [NB: only the plinth and the statues shown at this point in time -- where was the font removed to?]

Image Source: edited detail of a digital photograph 4 August 2019 by Ethan Doyle White [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Statues_at_the_Western_End_of_the_Church_of_St_Mary,_Gdansk.jpg] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-4.0

view of church interior - looking east

Scene Description: Source caption: "Gdańsk, Bazylika konkatedralna Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny w Gdańsku" -- with a partial view of the font in the foregorund, on the right side of the image

Image Source: digital photograph 21 August 2017 by Strumyczek [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bazylika_Mariacka_WNMP04.jpg] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-4.0

view of church interior - looking west

Scene Description: Source caption: "Iglesia de Santa María, Gdansk, Polonia" -- with the organ above, and the font below at the far end

Image Source: edited detail of a digital photograph 20 May 2013 by Diego Delso [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iglesia_de_Santa_María,_Gdansk,_Polonia,_2013-05-20,_DD_08.jpg] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church interior - statue

Scene Description: one of eight standing figures around the font [cf. FontNotes]

Image Source: digital photograph 12 July 2010 by deror_avi [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St._Mary_in_Gdańsk_IMG_2734.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church interior - statue

Scene Description: one of eight standing figures around the font [cf. FontNotes]

Image Source: digital photograph 12 July 2010 by deror_avi [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St._Mary_in_Gdańsk_IMG_2735.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church interior - statue

Scene Description: one of eight standing figures around the font [cf. FontNotes]

Image Source: digital photograph 12 July 2010 by deror_avi [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St._Mary_in_Gdańsk_IMG_2736.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church interior - statue

Scene Description: one of eight standing figures around the font [cf. FontNotes]

Image Source: digital photograph 12 July 2010 by deror_avi [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St._Mary_in_Gdańsk_IMG_2737.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church interior - statue

Scene Description: one of eight standing figures around the font [cf. FontNotes]

Image Source: digital photograph 12 July 2010 by deror_avi [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St._Mary_in_Gdańsk_IMG_2738.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church interior - statue

Scene Description: one of eight standing figures around the font [cf. FontNotes]

Image Source: digital photograph 12 July 2010 by deror_avi [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St._Mary_in_Gdańsk_IMG_2739.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church interior - statue

Scene Description: one of two seated figures located either on the font itself or on the side of the font [cf. FontNotes]

Image Source: digital photograph 12 July 2010 by deror_avi [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St._Mary_in_Gdańsk_IMG_2740.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church interior - statue

Scene Description: one of eight standing figures around the font [cf. FontNotes]

Image Source: digital photograph 12 July 2010 by deror_avi [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St._Mary_in_Gdańsk_IMG_2741.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church interior - statue

Scene Description: one of eight standing figures around the font [cf. FontNotes]

Image Source: digital photograph 12 July 2010 by deror_avi [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St._Mary_in_Gdańsk_IMG_2742.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church interior - statue

Scene Description: one of two seated figures located either on the font itself or on the side of the font [cf. FontNotes]

Image Source: digital photograph 12 July 2010 by deror_avi [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St._Mary_in_Gdańsk_IMG_2743.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of font and cover

Image Source: Digital photograph taken 8 August 2005 supplied by Alekasandra Staniszewska

Copyright Instructions: Image and permission received from the author (e-mail of 5 October 2005)

view of font and cover in context

Image Source: Digital photograph taken 8 August 2005 supplied by Alekasandra Staniszewska

Copyright Instructions: Image and permission received from the author (e-mail of 5 October 2005)

view of font and cover in context

Scene Description: Source caption: "Baptismal font of St. Mary Gdansk"

Image Source: digital photograph 10 May 2012 by Kresspahl [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BaptismalfontMaryGdansk22.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of font and cover in context

Scene Description: one of the two metal fonts on display

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of font context

Scene Description: without a font [cf. FontNotes]

Image Source: edited detail of a digital photograph 4 January 2012 by Aneta Lazurek https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gdańsk_-_Kościół_Mariacki,_wnętrze,_chrzcielnica_AL01.jpg] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0-PL

view of font in context

Scene Description: Source caption: "Gdańsk, Bazylika konkatedralna Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny w Gdańsku" -- a plater replica of one pf the two metal fonts?

Image Source: digital photograph 21 August 2017 by Strumyczek [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bazylika_Mariacka_WNMP01.jpg] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-4.0

view of font in context

Scene Description: the plaster(?) replica of one of the metal fonts?

Image Source: digital photograph 7 December 2018 by Аимаина хикари [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gdańsk_Bazylika_Mariacka_14.jpg] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: CC-Zero

view of font in context

Scene Description: the baptistery and font when it was enclosed in a large railing space [date unknown]

Image Source: digital image of an undated B&W photograph reproduced by fotopolska.eu

Copyright Instructions: PERMISSION NOT AVAILABLE – IMAGE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE

view of object

Scene Description: a composite object serving now as holy-water stoup?

Image Source: digital photograph 7 July 2013 by Piotrus [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gdansk_July_2013_24.JPG] [accessed 22 September 2023]

Copyright Instructions: GFDL / CC-BY-SA-3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0

INFORMATION

FontID: 11094GDA

Church/Chapel: Mariackiego w Gdansku [aka Bazylika Mariacka / St. Marienkirche / Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary]

Church Patron Saints: St. Mary the Virgin

Church Location: Podkramarska 5, 80-834 Gdańsk, Poland -- Tel.: +48 58 301 39 82

Country Name: Poland

Location: Pomorskie

Directions to Site: Located off (N) highway E77, on the S shore of the Gulf of Gdansk, about 22 km SE of Gdynia -- The church is located in downtown Gdansk, betwenn highway 91 (W) and the Moltawa river (E)

Ecclesiastic Region: Archidiecezja Gdańska

Font Location in Church: Inside the church, by the W entranceway

Century and Period: 17th - 18th century, Baroque

Credit and Acknowledgements: We are grateful to Aleksandra Staniszewska, to Maria Budziakowska and to Juan Carlos Abascal Ruiz de Aguirre for their photographs of this font. We are also grateful to Pol Herman for his help in documenting these objects

Church Notes: wooden church ca. 1243; replaced by brick church 1343-1360; present building started 1369; completed 1496; damaged in WWII; restored 1946-1955;

Font Notes: Click to view font notes

The fonts at Marienkirche involve: - a 16th-century baptistery - a bronze baptismal font, 1557, before the second world war - a baptismal font, originally from the St. John’s church that stood in the St. Mary’s church from the end of the second world war until 2013 - a plaster copy of the original bronze font, made by German art historians around 1940, installed in 2013 - a bronze copy of the original bronze font, made in 2022 using the plaster model The entry for this church in Lavender's Blue (LVB) [https://lvbmag.wpcomstaging.com/2018/09/10/st-marys-church-font-gdansk/] [accessed 22 September 2023] notes: "The baptismal font is symbolic of the rebuilding of the city. It combines elements of various periods from various buildings. The base, figures and gate come from the Mariacki Church in Gdańsk. Reliefs depicting Biblical scenes decorate the sandstone octagonal font. The tank dates from 1682. [NB: we have a rather confusing situation as the church has been moving, removing and replacing the baptismal font that stands -at times? / or not?- atop the large octagonal plinth(?) located near the west entranceway [cf. ImagesArea]. It also involves another font originally from the church of St. John, also in the city. One of the fonts displayed on and off was made of metal (bronze?) in the church of St. Mary, in the city of Gdansk; the font consists of an octagonal basin with very narrow sides, and a hemispherical underbowl that maintains the eight-side structure; the panels of the basin bear an inscription in Gothic lettering at two levels; the sides of the rounded underbowl have Biblical scenes (?) framed in foliage; the stem of the base is octagonal all over and divided into four volumes: the upper one is slightly rounded, like the underbowl; the second volume down has straight sides and a chamfer below; the third volume down has vertical sides; the fourth volume down splays out and ends in a round moulding, always maintaining the octagonal shape; all the panels of all the levels are decorated with foliage and floral (?) themes; an octagonal lower base or plinth is plain and narrow; the plinth proper has two steps, the lower of which has eight figural statutes made of bronze, representing perhaps saints and/or the Virtues and Vices; two of the smaller, seated figures are at times placed on the base of the metal font but at other times on the ground, next to the larger standing figures that stand on the stone upper plinth. The font cover is of the Jacobean type, eight curved and decorated ribs around a pivot with a crown finial. At other times a different baptismal font replaces the one described above; it consists of an octagonal basin the sides of which are profusely decorated with very Baroque human figures holding elaborate vases, garlands, etc., all around and down the underbowl sides; it stands on moulded cross-shaped base, the sides of which full of decoartive motifs similar to those on the basin sides [cf. supra]; furthermore, this last font has a plaster(?) replica which at times takes the place of either of the two metal fonts mentioned above, while at other time the plinth is vacant and a couple of plant pots occupy the place of the absent fonts. The eight standing figures, and the two seated ones appear to be the only elements of the context that remain always in place. Additionally, since the church was originally medieval, it probably had a font [now lost?] of the period in it. Also noteworthy is a composite object now used as holy-water stoup [cf. ImagesArea]; it consists of a roughly cylindical basin with a faint striated or fluted pattern -now very eroded- all around, raised on a foliated capital that may also have a heraldic device on the side; the upper end of the basin has a metal insert that wraps around the edge outside]. A communication to BSI from Pol Herman (e-mail of 6 November 2023) provides an explanation below to the rather chaotic situation of the baptismal fonts and copies in this church: " Baptistery (2nd half of the 16th c.) Cornelius Hohe, Heinrich Neuborg, Bartel Pasteyde, Hendrick Wyllemsson, Adrian Hynrichsen, compact limestone, sandstone, bronze, iron, dim.: the stone plinth 480 x 480 x 89 cm, the figures are approx. 75 cm high. In the past the baptistery consisted of a stone pedestal, a canopy with a shaft and two fences. The history of the baptistery dates back to 1552, when the “Church Fathers” Paul Ball, Georg Rosenberg and Rudolf Gruell made an order to masters Cornelius Hohe (stonework) and Bartel Pasteyde (sculpting). These works were completed in 1553. The assembly in its present place in the Basilica lasted from April 17 to June 1554. The plinth is made of compact grey limestone and sandstone. It has the shape of an octagon with dimensions of 480 x 480 x 89 cm. The side walls were decorated with reliefs depicting biblical scenes. The first bas-relief to the left of the gate represents the Triumph of Mercy. The second shows the baptism of Christ. The third shows the baptism of the Ethiopian queen courtier as illustrated in the Acts of the Apostles, 8: 25-40. The fourth is the Vision of St. Peter and the baptism of Cornelius. The fifth is union with Christ through the resurrection. It illustrates the VI chapter of St. Paul Letter to the Romans. The sixth scene is the Christian’s Armor, illustrating the words of the VI chapter of St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. The last relief shows the passage of the Jews through the Red Sea. Reliefs are framed by pillars with lion masks or heads of angels. On the right and left, on the jambs, there are angels’ heads holding bands with the dates 1616 and 1557 in their mouths. Underneath you can see the gmerk and the letters C and F, i.e. Cornelius fecit and the year 1553. After completing the construction of the base in 1554, Master Cornelius was sent to Utrecht to find masters to make a baptismal font and bronze grating elements. On October 2, 1554, the council signed a contract with the Masters Hinrik Wyllemsson for the design and modeling, and with Adrian Hynrichsen for the casting. The work was completed in 1557. In September, it was sent by sea to Gdańsk. In November, the baptismal font and the fence were placed on a stone base. Then the blacksmith Paul placed an iron grating with a gate around the baptismal font which was dismantled in 1926. After the war, most of the elements of the 16th century baptistery were lost. The allegorical figures standing around the baptismal font were earlier placed in the corners of the bronze fence. The fence was 310 cm high (including the stone base). These are female figures that symbolize various virtues. From the gate on the left, they are: Generosity with the cornucopia, Resolution with a column and her leg resting on a pedestal, Mercy with two children and a torch lowered down, Faith with a cross, Hope with an anchor, Moderation with water poured into wine, Wisdom with a snake (formerly with a mirror that has been destroyed) and Justice with a scale, a sword and a blindfold. Unfortunately, the canopy and corpus have not survived to our times. Until 2013, there was a baptismal font from the church of St. John. Then it was returned to the temple and in its place a plaster model of the original baptismal font, probably made in the 1940s, was placed. This model was used to make a bronze reconstruction of the monument. Only the figures of St. Mark and St. Luke adorning its base are original."

COORDINATES

Church Latitude & Longitude Decimal: 54.3499, 18.6533

Church Latitude & Longitude DMS: 54° 20′ 59.64″ N, 18° 39′ 11.88″ E

UTM: 34U 347481 6024991

MEDIUM AND MEASUREMENTS

Material: metal

Font Shape: octagonal (mounted)

Basin Exterior Shape: octagonal

INSCRIPTION

Inscription Language: German

Inscription Notes: Gothic lettering

Inscription Location: on the sides of the basin, on two levels

Inscription Text: [transcription not available]

LID INFORMATION

Date: 17th - 18th century?

Notes: [cf. FontNotes]