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This shell is used in St Mary's Church, Pilton, for baptism. It was presented to the church in memory of Arthur Richard Alexander Kolbert, born1904 in Edmonton, London and died 1992 in Barnstaple. We have no other details about Arthur Kolbert except that he lived in Byron Close and his wife was called Dorothy and she was in the Mothers' Union. His ashes are buried in St Mary's Churchyard.

According to a guide to ancient symbols, John is often depicted baptizing Christ with water poured from a scallop shell like this. The shell has therefore become a common symbol of baptism.

Thanks to St Mary's Church for permission to include this.