Baptismal Angel - Nykirken - Bergen, Norway
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SMacB
N 60° 23.825 E 005° 18.805
32V E 296912 N 6701318
The 'Baptismal Angel' in Nykirken, Bergen, is a massive carved angel which descends from the ceiling of the church by means of a pulley system, bearing in its hand the bowl for infant baptisms.
Waymark Code: WM1AEW7
Location: Vestland, Norway
Date Posted: 08/08/2024
Views: 1
"The 'Baptismal Angel' is a massive carved angel which descends from the ceiling of the church by means of a pulley system, bearing in its hand the bowl for infant baptisms.
The original was donated in 1794 in memory of Heinrich Pütter, but was destroyed in the 1944 explosion. The replacement was donated by the nearby Bergen Cathedral, who had always been the owners of the matching angel, but kept it unused in storage. The mechanism for the angel is now electrically operated."
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The baptismal angel is approximately 1 meter (about 3.3 feet) tall, making it a prominent feature within the church's interior.
The wingspan of the angel extends slightly wider than its body, with the wings carved to have a gentle curve, adding to the sense of grace and movement.
It is hand carved from a dense, fine-grained wood, likely oak, which was commonly used for such sculptures due to its durability and ability to hold intricate details.
The baptismal angel continues to be used in baptismal ceremonies at Nykirken.
It is thought that the angel could have been created by Johan Christian Conradi, a prominent Bergen-based woodcarver and sculptor active during that period. Conradi was known for his elaborate and expressive religious sculptures, many of which were influenced by the Baroque style.