Ecclesiastical Use of Basin

Basins were extensively used in the Jewish Ritual and were in early use in Christian churches for ablutions and to receive lamp-drippings etc. The Missal prescribes its used at the "Lavabo" of the Mass; the "Cæremoniale Episcoporum" provides a basin for bearing the cruets and for the preparatory ablutions of bishops. They are ordinarily of ornamented metal.

JOHN B. PETERSON