Herkenrode / Heckenrode

The baptismal font of the abbey of Herkenrode [the alternative name Heckenrode is used] is mentioned in a list of Belgian "fonts à pédicule" in Van de Casteele (1877). A communication to BSI from Pol Herman (e-mail of 27 August 2024) gives the above reference and adds: "The abbey was founded in 1192. The church was destroyed by a fire in 1826 and demolished in 1844. Therefore, the mention of a baptismal font in 1877 must be based on older information? Anyway, Herkenrode is the odd man out in the usual list of well-known baptismal fonts at that time. The abbey's baptismal font could have been a "festive" font (Silvia Schlegel, Festive Vessels or Everyday Fonts?: New Considerations on the Liturgical Functions of Medieval Baptismal Fonts in Germany, in The visual culture of baptism in the Middle Ages, 2013). During archaeological excavations in 2004-2006, a circular foundation was found in the church's nave. It was designed to carry a heavy object. A drawing of 1363 shows no entrance to the church through the tower, but instead the frequently observed two doors in the north wall. My personal opinion is therefore that this foundation could have carried the lost baptismal font. This is based on: Mona Solhaug, The architectural setting of baptism : rituals, norms and practices in Scandinavia : ca 1050-ca 1250, in Schweizerische numismatische Rundschau, 2019. -- The director of the abbey finds this an interesting and plausible hypothesis, but there will probably never be proof of it. Paul Lambrechts, Senior adviseur & Directeur Abdij van Herkenrode, Herita vzw, Oude Beurs 27, 2000 Antwerpen Herkenrodeabdij 4, 3511 Hasselt -- Tel.: +32 (0)487250700".