Le decorazioni scolpite sui fonti battesimali italiani di età romanica (XI-XIII sec.)

Abstract

Iconographic researches about baptismal fonts, a furnishing element of great liturgical and symbolic importance, are few in Italy, unlike the regions of the Northern Europe; this is because a national catalogue of fonts doesn’t still exist for this Country. So, this study tries to remedy this gap, focusing on the stone structures made in the Paeninsula between 11th and 13th centuries. Simple moldings or architectural frames or podshaped decorations can be found in many cases. Animal, vegetable, geometric elements are common. Then some Christian symbols, as well angels, prophets, saints or Christ can be shown. Some narrative subjects are represented: the Annunciation, maybe the Last Supper and, with clear reference to the liturgical function, the Original Sin, the Elevatio Animae and the Baptism of Christ. A more elaborate story, such as the Life of the Baptist, the Childhood of Christ or the baptismal rite, is rarely staged; the latter subject was widespread in Northern Italy. An iconographic richness, somewhat comparable to that of Central-Northern Europe, is shown in the Po Vally area, because it was probably influenced by those regions. On the other hand, this aspect do not appear in Southern Italy, where the pieve system was not developed.