# The leafy head.

One of the four sides of the object features a figurative decoration articulated around a central face, both animal and human. This chubby mask features two large, almond-shaped, hemmed eyes, a human nose, mouth and chin, and two small, feline ears. The head is crowned by a sleek mane that meets the eyebrows.
Two large stems emerge from the figure's mouth to extend symmetrically on either side of the central mask. They develop into four wide campaniform palmettes, indented, ribbed, flared and edged with festoons.
Two influences are evident here. Firstly, a Namur influence, with the protruding globular eyes reminiscent of the protruding figures on the Beauvechain baptismal fonts. Secondly, a Tournais influence, with the large campaniform palmettes also seen on the baptismal fonts of the Saint-Amand de Spiennes church in the Walloon region.

This mask is an adaptation of the ancient leafy head that symbolized abundance. This motif is common in Christian iconography to symbolize vitality, and is perfectly suited to this object intended for the Christian ritual of baptism.

Beauvechain, Belgium, baptismal font
one of the bowl's protruding heads
Source: EmDee, 2010 via wikicommons
licence BY-SA 3.0.

Eglise Saint-Amand de Spiennes
part of a Tournais baptismal font
from the second half of the 12th century
Source: Bulletin de la Comission Royale des Monuments et des Sites,
t.4, 1974, p.19.

Lecixon:

Festoon: garland of foliage, flowers or fruit.

Campaniform palmette: ornament, stylized motif in the shape of a palm tree (here in the shape of a bell).