Reimpiego e rifunzionalizzazione in alcune ‘acquasantiere’ medievali di area padana

The following essay will analyze some holy water fonts made in the Po Valley area between the 11th and 14th centuries, deriving from the reuse of artifacts originally meant for different purposes. This practice is very common for stoups, whose history is often punctuated by episodes of reworking. A number of items will be presented here which – by virtue of their structural and morphological, as well as iconographic and decorative, characteristics – have taken on the role of vessels for holy water. In particular, five examples will be examined: a fountain basin from the Morimondo Abbey (in the province of Milan), a gargoyle in the church of San Giovanni Battista in Vigolo Marchese (province of Piacenza), a mortar in the church of San Biagio in Talignano and the baptismal font from the cathedral in Fidenza (both in the province of Parma) and a capital from the church of Santa Sofia in Padua. The aim of this overview is to offer a cross-section analysis of the varied phenomenon of repurposing objects originally intended for uses other than holy water fonts. Finally, the ductility that emerges in their production will make it possible to offer some insight into these furnishings which often play a marginal role when compared to other components of liturgical furniture.