Alabaster panel depicting the head of St John the Baptist. English, late 15th century.

The bearded head of St. John the Baptist, with a straight fringe and a moustache, is shown on a dish. Above, two angels hold a mandorla containing a small naked kneeling figure, its hands apart in the ancient attitude of prayer, representing the soul of the saint. Below, Christ, the Man of Sorrows, bearded and wearing the torse, stands in the tomb, head inclined to the left, hands resting on the outer edge of the tomb. On the lower left of the panel stands the bearded figure of St. Peter, looking inwards and wearing a girded alb and a cloak; he holds a closed book in this left hand and a key in his right. The mitred figure of an archbishop, probably St. Thomas Becket, with girded alb and cloak, stands on the lower right of the panel, holding a cross-staff in his left hand and a closed book in his right. Above the figure of St. Peter is the half-length bearded figure of St. James the Great, wearing hat and cloak, holding a closed book in his left hand and a staff in his right. Above the figure of the archbishop is the half-length bearded figure of a saint, perhaps St. Antony, holding a staff in his left hand, a closed book in his right.

The top right corner of the panel is chipped. Green paint, which has a 'scrubbed' appearance, and traces of the usual daisy pattern remain on the ground at the bottom of the panel. Black and gilt painted rays remain on the mandorla. There are traces of red and gilt on the edges of the robes of the figures. Traces of gilt are also on the hair and beard of the Baptist and on the other figures. Christ's torse is green. The cross-staff is black with traces of brown and gilding at the top. The panel has been almost completely backed with slate. The bottom has been cut away.

Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA

Believed to have been found at Wells. Later in the collection of G. Thomas. In the possession of P. Nelson from whom it was acquired by Dr. W.L. Hildburgh. On loan from him since 1926.Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946.

The bearded head of St John the Baptist, with a straight fringe and a moustache is shown on a dish. Above there are two angels holding a mandorla containing a small naked kneeling figure, its hands apart in the ancient attitude of prayer, representing the soul of the saint. Below Christ is shown as the Man of Sorrows and in the lower left of the panel St Peter and St Thomas Becket.

A.127-1946