Ivory head of John the Baptist
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- Origin
- France
- Period
- 16th century
- Material
- ivory
- Height
- 12 cm
- Width
- 7 cm
- Depth
- 5 cm
- Literature
Depicted in: 'Catalogue des sculptures, tableaux, tapis etc. Formant la collection d’objets d’art du Musée van Stolk’, Den Haag 1912, p. 20, cat. no. 154.
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Description
This carved ivory head represents the head of John the Baptist, with a very serene expression. His eyes are slightly lowered and the hair is pronounced. The back of the portrait is uncarved. The ivory was part of the collection of Museum van Stolk and is depicted in the 1912 catalogue. On the back is a label with the French text: 'Tête de saint Jean-Baptiste, en ivoir. Haut. 12 cent. Collection Musée van Stolk.'
The biblical figure John the Baptist was a Jewish preacher who baptised Jesus. He was beheaded by order of Salome, the daughter of the Roman emperor Herod. His head was then presented on a platter, a motif that is frequently depicted in art and is also known as 'John in disco'. This ivory head was perhaps attached to a dish.
Cites nr: 22NL307697/20
