# Introduction

Since the 12th century, baptism has been a rite of initiation in Christianity, mainly performed on children. This ritual is a sacrament that marks entry into the Christian community: it symbolizes the baptized person's death in his old life and (re)birth in his new life as a Christian. Baptism thus marks the beginning of the Christian's journey to salvation.

The present baptismal basin was used to perform a version of the ritual known as "effusion baptism", in which water was poured over the child's forehead, usually carried over the basin.

The process of evangelization carried out by the saints throughout the Christian world led to the need for new baptismal fonts. The evangelization of Cousolre, where this baptistery was discovered, is attributed to Saint Walbert and Saint Bertille, a story told by the object's decoration.

The Cousolre baptismal font is of medium size, suitable for the baptism of an infant. The basin must have been placed on a column, so as to be at eye level. The decoration is distributed over the four sides of the object, as well as on the spandrels and underside of the basin.

Cartel : Baptismal fonts of Cousolre, mid-12th century, Meuse stone, h. 50cm, L. 89cm, D. 66,5cm, Lille, Palais des Beaux-Arts.

3D captation and text by : Elsa BARON, Alexandra DE VACHON, Baptistine GAUTIER et Manon LEPROVOST

Bibliography :

GHISLAIN, Jean-Claude, Les fonts baptismaux romans en pierre bleue des ateliers du Namurois (ca. 1150-1175), [exposition, Musée provincial des Arts anciens du Namurois, du 8 décembre 2009 jusqu’au 1er février 2010], Musée des arts anciens du Namurois, Namur, 2009.