84 ON AN ALABASTER SCULPTURE. 



Ihon Bapt head uppon it.* This turns out to be a mediaeval 

 paten, with the Vernicle in the centre, and is reproduced in this 

 volume (Plate X.). This head, as represented in these sculptures, 

 does not correspond in any particular with any of the known 

 mediaeval delineations of St. John Baptist, either by the glass- 

 stainer, painter, or the sculptor. It is simply the charger or 

 circular dish that has suggested the idea of the Baptist's head, 

 and of that a far better solution can be offered. In the Findern 

 example (No. II.), there is a greater space between the head and 

 the figure below than in any other. On turning up the tablet, 

 under the beard, the cut-off neck can be seen projecting from the 

 dish.t It is cut perfectly smooth, and left of the natural grey 

 colour of the marble. With the lavish use of colour on the 

 carving, had a decapitation been intended to be represented, it 

 would not, we think, have been left thus white; nor in the 

 realistic treatment of the time would the neck have been left in a 

 far smoother condition than could have been achieved by the 

 most accomplished headsman. It certainly is true that the head 

 of St. John Baptist was held in so much honour that there was 

 a contention as to the authenticity of the relic, a church at Rome, 

 as well as the cathedral church of Amiens, $ claiming to possess 

 the original ; and having on two occasions seen the remarkable 

 veneration shown by modern Roman Catholics to the Amiens 

 relic in its crystal-covered shrine, we are by no means disposed 

 to minimise the special sanctity that pertains to its cultus. But 

 after making due allowance for this, is there, we ask 

 with confidence, any trace whatever of such altogether 

 exceptional veneration being paid at any period in any 

 part of Christendom to the head of St. John Baptist, as 

 would gather round it such a remarkable hagiotypic arrangement 

 of saints of the first rank? or what possible connection could 

 there be between the head of the Baptist and Christ below 

 rising from the tomb ? 



* Journal of the Derbyshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, vol. 

 vii., p. 44. 



+ This would be quite visible to any one kneeling before the sculpture. 



t The claim of Amiens is far the strongest ; the head was brought there from 

 Constantinople in 1204. 



