A niche near the altar in a church, containing a small basin for rinsing altar vessels.
Perforated stone basin used to remove rinsing water from the chalice etc.
In a chapel, basin with a drain for washing the vessels after Mass. (Kenyon, John R. Medieval Fortifications, 211) Built-in stone basin near altar for washing the chalice. Derives from Latin piscis = fish, and first used for a fish-pond. (Wood, Margaret. The English Medieval House, 413)
The holy water basin in a chapel.
Hand basin with drain, usually set against or into a wall.
a ritual basin set generally in the south wall of a church or chapel adjacent to an altar, in which communion vessels were washed and holy water was disposed
a small niche which was used to hold a bowl of water where the priest washed his hands during a service of communion (also called mass)
a special basin that is coected by a pipe directly to the ground
a stone basin with a drain, used for washing the mass vessels
A basin with a drain directly to the ground where water used in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism is poured; or where the first water used in cleaning the vessels and linens of the Holy Communion is poured.
a small stone wash-basin with a drain hole where to wash the sacred vessels
Embrasure with a drain, for washing communion vessels
A special sink going straight into the ground. Excess consecrated wine is poured into it.
In Western church architecture: A stone vessel or basin containing water, usually set in or against a wall to the south of the altar for cleaning communion utensils; usually provided with a drain.
A sink for washing the vessels used at the Eucharist and for reverently disposing of Wine that has been consecrated. The piscina does not drain into a sewer or disposal system, but directly into the ground.
A handbasin, usually set in or against wall, with drain.
A piscina (also known as a sacrarium) is a Latin word first applied to a fish-pond, and later used for any pool of water for bathing, either natural or artificial, and also for a tank or reservoir. In ecclesiastical usage the term was given to a shallow stone basin, the French cuvette, placed near the altar in a church, with drains to take away the water used in the ablutions at the mass. Piscinae seem at first to have been mere cups or small basins, supported on perforated stems, placed close to the wall, and afterwards to have been recessed therein and covered with niche heads, which often contained shelves to serve as ambries.