Taufkannen der Karolingerzeit. - Mit einem Exkurs: Die Bronzekanne aus Lissabon

Abstract

It is the common opinion that in the Middle Ages no baptismal jugs were used at the christening. However, pictorial representations and archaeological finds demonstrate that not later than in the Carolingian period candidates for baptism were not only plunged, but also dowsed with water. A relief at the gold altar which was created by master Wolvinius on the order of the Milan arch bishop Angilbert II (825-859) for (the church) Sant'Ambrogio in Milan, a deacon pours down water onto the head of Saint Ambrosius standing in the baptismal font. Only few of these vasa non sacra survived, e.g. a delicate bronze jug probably made in Italy and now in the possession of the RGZM which was found before the First World War near Arras and dates to the 9th century for stilistic reasons. On its shoulder a Christogram between two peacocks is engraved being interpreted as a symbol for the Christian hope for Eternal Life and paradise which only can be achieved by christening. It is very likely therefore that this vessel served as a baptismal jugs. The same will be the case for the jug of similar shape and decoration excavated in the middle of the 19th century close to the baptismal font of the Roman basilica S.Stefano in via Latina.
Exkursus: The hardly known bronze jug of Giseric and Sucessa today in the Lisbon Museu Luso-Alemão at Belas is presented with its decoration consisting  of engraved tendrils and the Latin inscription GISERICI ET SVCESSE VITA +. Until today it was mistakenly thought to be the baptismal jug of the Vandals'  king Geiserich (*c.389). However, comparable finds and the type of writing suggest that the jug was produced only in the 7th century on the Iberian Peninsula. It was probably used for washing hands and not for christening.