18th Century Italian Silver Holy Water Font, Baroque Style with Madonna holding Jesus in her arms with 2 angels at the sides.

18th Century Italian Silver Holy Water Font, Baroque Style with Madonna holding Jesus in her arms with 2 angels at the sides.

The surrounding designs, abstract, floral and garlands, were handcrafted using a technique known as “repoussé” when flat silver is shaped by hammering from the reverse side, creating a raised design to be viewed from the front. The small bowl at the bottom, meant for holding holy water, is also hand fashioned and decorated in repoussé.

Size 17 cm L x 12 cm W x 4 cm H

Stoups are smaller versions of the large holy water fonts found at the door of all Catholic churches, and are traditionally hung by the door of a home for the purpose of crossing one's self when entering or leaving. They are also found in bedrooms for bedtime prayer and blessings. Stoups are smaller versions of the large holy water fonts found at the door of all Catholic churches, and are traditionally hung by the door of a home for the purpose of crossing one's self when entering or leaving. They are also found in bedrooms for bedtime prayer and blessings.