Two Colossal Holy-Water Stoups

Map

Holy-water stoup, St Peter's Basilica

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The two colossal holy-water stoups, which stand on either side of the nave of St Peter's Basilica, give a good sense of the sheer size of the church. The four cherubs that hold up the two stoups are each six feet tall. 

The holy-water stoups (acquasentiere), which take the form of elaborately ornate shells, were commissioned by Pope Benedict XIII (r. 1724-30) and designed by Agostino Cornacchini (1686-1754). The shells of yellow marble are the work of Giuseppe Lirone, while the chubby cherubs were carved by Francesco Moderati and Giovanni Battista de Rossi. 

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Holy-water stoup