Baptismal font of San Frediano, Romanesque baptismal font in Basilica of San Frediano, Lucca, Italy.
The Baptismal font of San Frediano is an octagonal Romanesque stone basin housed within the basilica in Lucca. Its carved exterior walls depict scenes from the life of Moses, and the structure rests upon decorated columns that support the entire vessel.
Three craftsmen including Master Roberto created this marble vessel around 1150, blending Lombard sculptural methods into the design. The work represents how medieval artisans adapted regional techniques to produce objects of religious importance.
The font served as a crucial space for religious practice, revealing how medieval believers participated in baptism ceremonies with full-body immersion. Its prominence in the basilica underscores the sacrament's central role in Christian life during that period.
The font is visible during the basilica's regular hours and offers the best viewing in morning light for examining carved details. Close inspection reveals the craftsmanship and sculptural techniques that went into its creation.
The creators carved their own signatures into the stone basin, providing rare direct evidence of which artisans produced this religious work. This act of attribution was uncommon in medieval religious craftsmanship and reveals the makers' pride in their work.
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