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.[1]
[1]
Written by John B. Peterson. Transcribed by Tim Drake. The Catholic
Encyclopedia, Volume II. Published 1907. New York: Robert Appleton
Company. Nihil Obstat, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur.
+John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York
