The benitier, or font for holy water –found in Catholic churches, is unfortunately hard to see and understand in the photos, as it was in life also. The back is a serving tray made of a light coat of plaster over a lightweight wood, with fluted edges and inscribed stencils, then polychromed. It was in a state of wear and tear that matched the oyster shell with its barnacles, attached to it, which actually held the water. From a distance, it looked a bit of a mess with its decay, but the gold and red colors were enough to draw a viewer near to see the water in the shell. A curious note, the shadow of the oyster shell fell across the tray in a tongue shape.