Enkhuizen No. 2

Wooden (oak) font noted and illustrated in the parish web site [www.xaverius.nl/parochie/kerkgebouw] [accessed 24 December 2015]: "Eikenhouten doopvont uit de Barok, vermoedelijk Zuid Nederlands." The font proper consists of a hemispherical basin raised on a round pedestal base; the wooden cover is also hemispherical. The whole font, however, is a wooden sculpture on the theme of Paradise Lost: the lower trunk of the Tree of Science is the pedestal of the font, and two large braches shoot up forming a frame for a large painting of Christ on the Cross; around the trunk wraps the snake, while Adam and Eve stand in shame to the sides of the trunk; the lower base is square, with the top carved as part of the Garden of Eden. Above and to the sides float two angels. [NB: although the font falls outside the chronological parameters of BSI, it is included here as an example of complex wooden fonts being produced at late dates; it is as well an example of a theme already used in England in the 1686 baptismal font for London St. James' by Gringling Gibbons]. A view of the restoration of the Enkhuizen can be seen here [https://bruijs-streep.nl/17de-eeuws-doopvont/] [accessed 5 February 2022]
A communication to BSI from Pol Herman (e-mail of 3 March 2026) informs: "Enkhuizen 20253ENK. Patrick Damiaens is a woodcarver that is very knowledgeable with the work of Grinling Gibbons. https://www.grinlinggibbonsphotos.com/patrick-damiaens/
https://www.patrickdamiaens.info/portfolio/carving-grinling-gibbons-style/ -- I asked his opinion about the font at Enkhuizen. Translation : "I'm almost certain this sculpture has not been made in Gibbons's studio. But rather, one must think about Flanders. It bears a striking resemblance to the technique used in many pulpits in cities like Brussels, Mechelen, Antwerp, Leuven, etc., dating back to the 17th century. Names like Michiel Van der Voort the Elder seem a certainty to me. See attached photo (Rombold's Cathedral, Mechelen). But sculptor H.F. Verbruggen (pulpit in Brussels) is a possibility. Attached photo (also with Adam and Eve).
Van: Patrick Damiaens Heraldic & Ornamental Woodcarver <info@patrickdamiaens.be>
Verzonden: dinsdag 3 maart 2026 12:15
Aan: Pol Herman <pol_herman@hotmail.be>
Onderwerp: Re: Doopvont te Enkhuizen
Geachte Heer,
Hartelijk dank voor uw mail en foto's.
Ik ben er bijna zeker van dat dir beeldhouwwerk niet van het atelier van Gibbons komt.
Maar eerder moet zoeken in Vlaanderen.
Het lijkt sprekend als de techniek die vele preekstoelen in steden als Brussel, Mechelen, Antwerpen, Leuven,.... bezitten. 17de eeuws.
Namen als Michiel Van der Voort de Oude lijkt mij persoonlijk een zekerheid. Zie foto bijlage ( Rombouts kathedraal Mechelen)
Maar beeldhouwer H.F. Verbruggen ( preekstoel in Brussel) is een mogelijkheid. foto bijlage ( ook met adam en Eva )
Met Vriendelijke Groet,
Kind Regards,
Cordialement,
Patrick Damiaens
Heraldic & Ornamental Woodcarver
www.patrickdamiaens.info&quot;