Why this spot in particular
Photographs taken at the font stay in families for generations. With bare plaster behind, the picture looks accidental; with a mosaic behind it, it does not. It is also the easiest commission to explain to a parish: everyone understands what it is for and whom it is for.
The iconography of baptism
Most often we make John the Baptist, the dove of the Holy Spirit in rays of light, the baptism in the Jordan, a shell, a fish and the monogram of Christ. A band of water also works well: wavy lines of glass in a dozen shades of blue, moving from deep navy at floor level to pale azure above. Above the font we often set a baptismal inscription in the local language or in Latin.
Water and material
Water is spilled at the font regularly and the wall is often damp. Glass, smalti and natural stone take that in their stride – they do not absorb water, do not grow mould and do not lose colour, unlike paint or decorative render. In this spot a mosaic is a practical material, not only a decorative one.
The baptistery as a room of its own
In churches with a separate baptistery we carry out the whole thing: the wall, the band around the font and the floor. The floor is laid in marble and stone in opus tessellatum – it stands up to foot traffic and to water. We design the whole as a single composition so that the wall and the floor do not compete with each other.
Price and lead time
A mosaic costs from 4,000 to 15,000 PLN per m². The wall behind a font is usually a small area, so the work often lies within reach of a single family or parish group – we can place a plaque with the intention beside the mosaic. The estimate is free once we have the dimensions and a photo of the spot.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mosaic by the font cost?
A mosaic costs from 4,000 to 15,000 PLN per m². A wall behind the font measuring 120 × 200 cm is 2.4 m². We prepare an exact estimate free of charge – send us the dimensions of the wall and a photo of the corner with the font.
Will a mosaic stand up to damp by the font?
Yes. Glass, smalti and stone do not absorb water and do not lose colour. We pay attention to preparing the substrate and choose a moisture-resistant mortar and grout, so a mosaic in this position lasts for decades.
What motifs do you suggest?
John the Baptist, the dove of the Holy Spirit, the baptism in the Jordan, a shell, a fish, the monogram of Christ, and also a band of flowing water and plant ornament. We are glad to work a motif connected with the patron of the church or the history of the parish.
Can an inscription be added?
Yes. We lay inscriptions in the local language and in Latin – most often the baptismal formula or a verse from the Gospel. The letters are made of gold tesserae or dark smalti, depending on the ground.
Do you also lay the baptistery floor?
Yes. The floor is laid in marble and natural stone, which stand up to foot traffic and water. Where there is a separate baptistery we design the wall and the floor together as a single composition.
How long does such a commission take?
A wall of 2–4 m² usually takes 1–2 months including installation. We confirm the exact lead time with the estimate, once we have seen the place or the photographs.