Font

Font, the receptacle of the baptismal water in churches, usually consists of a basin hollowed out of a solid block, and supported upon a pedestal. It is now generally about 2? feet in diameter, but was formerly large enough to hold the body of the child, who was immersed. Most fonts are of stone, but ancient leaden ones are to be seen. They are generally placed at the western end of the church, but sometimes stand in a separate chapel. Anciently the font was in the baptistery of the Cathedral Church only. It is so still in some of the cities of Italy. Fonts in almost every style of architecture exist in England. A fine example of the Decorated is in the church of All Saints, Norwich; and of the Perpendicular there is a perfect specimen at St. Nicholas, East Dereham, Norfolk.