Not currently on display at the V&A

Head of St John the Baptist

Panel
late 15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This panel is a very typical version of a popular subject. The head is set on a platter and flanked by figures of St Peter and an archbishop, probably Saint Thomas Becket. Christ appears at the bottom as the Man of Sorrows, rising from his tomb. At the top, two angels are shown carrying the Saint's soul away in a napkin.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHead of St John the Baptist (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved, painted and gilt alabaster
Brief description
Alabaster panel depicting the head of St John the Baptist. English, late 15th century.
Physical description
The head of St. John the Baptist is represented, upper lip half clean-shaven and with a spade-shaped beard, on a dish. Above, two angels bear a small figure in a napkin (only the head and neck visible), representing the soul of the saint. Below is our Lord's Pity with Christ, bearded and wearing the torse, his head inclined to the left, standing in the tomb, his right hand held against his body, the left against the outer edge of the tomb. On the left, facing inwards, stands the bearded and tonsured St. Peter, wearing a girded gown and a cloak; he holds a key in his right hand and a closed book in his left hand, which is covered by his cloak. On the right, facing inwards, stands the mitred figure of an archbishop, probably St. Thomas Becket, wearing a girded gown and cloak; he holds a cross-staff in his left hand and a closed book in his right, which is covered by his cloak.

The top right corner of the panel is chipped. St. Peter's key is damaged. The jaw of St. Thomas is damaged. The bottom of St. Peter's gown is chipped. Green paint and the usual daisy pattern remain on the ground on the lower part of the panel. Gilding on a brownish primer remains on the hair and beard of the Baptist and of the other figures. The angels' wings are red flecked with white around black dots. St. Peter's key is gilt. The cross-staff is brown, its top gilt. The back of the panel bears two lead-plugged holes. The bottom has been cut away.
Dimensions
  • Height: 25.1cm
  • Width: 17.5cm
From Cheetham, English Medieval Alabasters, 1984.
Style
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
Object history
Found in the church at Yarnton, Oxfordshire. On loan from Dr W.L. Hildburgh since 1926. Given by W. L. Hildburgh, 1946.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This panel is a very typical version of a popular subject. The head is set on a platter and flanked by figures of St Peter and an archbishop, probably Saint Thomas Becket. Christ appears at the bottom as the Man of Sorrows, rising from his tomb. At the top, two angels are shown carrying the Saint's soul away in a napkin.
Bibliographic reference
Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984. p. 323 (cat. 247), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0
Collection
Accession number
A.127D-1946

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdDecember 9, 2002
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest