Marcinelle, in Charleroi No. 2 / Mårcinele

Stone baptismal font consisting of an octagonal basin with round moulded sides, raised on a slender octagonal pedestal base, also moulded, and a splaying octagonal lower base. The metal font cover is a cylindrical dome with moulded sides; made of copper. Noted and illustrated in the BALaT database, KIK-IRPA Brussels, with date in the late-16th for the font and early-17th century for the cover; this source notes and inscription on the cover: "inscription, gravé, sur le couvercle: noms des mambours : Jean et François Collin, M Pierre" [NB: the term 'mambour' or 'mambourg' in the context of the chuch appears to be equivalent to that of 'churchwarden', the lay persons charged with the responsibility of the financial affairs -- of Dutch origin? -- clarification received from Dr. B. Roest: "the word 'mambour' seems to be a French rendering of the Dutch 'momboor' or 'momber', which is a very old word for a warden, proctor or curator, or defensor pupilli; someone executing and managing issues on behalf of somebody/something else (person or institution). It seems to me that churchwarden can be a perfect translation in the context of church property or monastic houses." [email to BSI of 9 April 2015]]