Lot 2247 Dα

Probably South German Late 15th century

A late 15th century carved wood head, probably John the Baptist, presumably Southern Germany

Probably limewood, carved three-quarters in the round, the reverse smoothed down. With minimal remains of former polychromy. The sunken facial features and partially opened mouth of the saint suggests that he is depicted after death. The slightly rounded underside of the neck and four old dowels in the back right side of the head indicate that the piece depicts the head of John the Baptist and that it was originally mounted on a platter as a so-called “Johannesschüssel“.
Wear with minor losses. Insect damage. Mounted on a modern metal stand. Height 23 cm.