Dome

Detail, showing oxen; The original font (ca. 1117) is decorated with representations of St. John the Baptist baptising the Publicans, a group of penitents, and Christ; St. Peter baptising Cornelius; and St. John the Evangelist baptizing Cato the philosopher. The oxen carrying the font are an analogy to the molten sea supported by oxen in the Temple of Jerusalem (I, Kings, vii. 23) and identified as symbols of the Twelve Apostles by Rupert of Deutz in his treatise De Trinitate written at Liège about 1117. Rupert of Deutz probably sketched out the iconography and symbolism of the font which was commissioned by Abbot Hellinus (1111-1118), cast in brass (bronze) by Rainer of Huy for Notre Dame aux Fonts, and is now in the Church of Saint-Barthémy, Liège. Source: V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) [website]; http://www.vam.ac.uk/ (accessed 4/27/2009)