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ID #SA1213128
FOR SALE
£795
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Carved Sculpture of John the Baptist.
For sale by Martin Murray Antiques
for sale €930     $1,010
£795
Martin Murray Antiques

Martin Murray Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2024
Browse dealers 53 items
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    Specialist in early furniture and works of art
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Id #SA1213128
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Carved Sculpture of John the Baptist.

18th century
Description

A fine walnut carving of John the baptist’s head son a platter, original polychrome decoration throughout, wonderful detail and surface, small loss to the hair.

Italian, 18th century

Height 22cm ( 8 3/4” )

Width 26cm ( 10 1/4” )

Physical Dimensions
Height
22cm (8.66")
Width
26cm (10.24")
Declaration

Martin Murray Antiques has dated this Carved Saint John Baptist Head to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1213128
Dealers Notes

For further details of any item or for a reliable shipping quote please get in touch. Shipping on items that can be posted is included in the UK

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Description
A fine walnut carving of John the baptist’s head son a platter, original polychrome decoration throughout, wonderful detail and surface, small loss to the hair.

Italian, 18th century

Height 22cm ( 8 3/4” )

Width 26cm ( 10 1/4” )

Height
22cm (8.66")
Width
26cm (10.24")
Date of Manufacture

Martin Murray Antiques has dated this Carved Saint John Baptist Head to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1213128
Martin Murray Antiques
Martin Murray Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2024

Specialist in early furniture and works of art

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Martin Murray Antiques Profile Page

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A carved wooden sculpture depicting the head of Saint John the Baptist resting on a circular charger platter.
1 / 2
Archive I A carved wooden sculpture depicting the head of Saint John the Baptist resting on a circular charger platter.

Carved Sculpture of John the Baptist.

Archive II A carved wooden sculpture depicting the head of Saint John the Baptist resting on a circular charger platter. View II
Enlarged Archival View
Martin Murray Antiques

Martin Murray Antiques
Telephone 07970 625359
Location
Near Eye
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/mmant
Verified Since Dec 2024
Items For Sale 53
Items Sold 84
Martin Murray Antiques
Martin Murray Antiques
Verified Since Dec 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: Near Eye, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/mmant
Verified
Dec 2024
For Sale
53
Sold
84
A carved wooden sculpture depicting the head of Saint John the Baptist resting on a circular charger platter.
Carved sculpture of John the Baptist.
Ref: SA1213128
A carved wooden sculpture depicting the head of Saint John the Baptist resting on a circular charger platter.
Detail View 1
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectReligious Sculptures
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGothic
  • MaterialCarved Wood, Polychrome
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsCarved hair and beard, Charger base, Closed eyes
  • SizeH 22 cm (9 in) x W 26 cm (10 in)

This eighteenth-century Italian religious sculpture depicts the head of Saint John the Baptist resting upon a circular charger platter. Modelled in the Gothic style, the piece is carved from walnut and retains its original polychrome decoration in warm brown tones across the face, hair and base. Detailed workmanship is visible in the closed eyes, the sharply angled nose, the parted lips, and the textured strands of hair and beard framing the visage, alongside a small loss to the carved hair at the top left and visible surface wear to the polychrome finish on the curved rim of the platter below. Measuring 22 cm high by 26 cm wide, the compact sculpture sits steadily on a flat base. In a modern interior, it functions as a striking decorative display piece suitable for placement on a bookshelf, mantelpiece, side table or cabinet within a study, living room or hallway, bringing historical character and texture to traditional or eclectic spaces.

FAQs

Depictions of the head of Saint John the Baptist on a platter, known historically as Caput Sancti Johannis in Disco, emerged in medieval Europe as devotional objects. These carvings were created for personal veneration, monastic collections, and church displays, symbolizing martyrdom and redemption.

Sculptors typically utilized dense native hardwoods such as oak, lime wood, walnut, or pine. The timber was frequently covered in a gesso layer and painted or gilded to produce polychrome finishes, highlights, and facial details.

Authentic historic carvings show hand-tool marks from chisels and gouges rather than machine paths. Look for natural age features such as wood shrinkage along the grain, surface cracking, genuine patina in recesses, and wear to original paint layers.

Such sculptures are often displayed as focal art objects on a dark wood bookshelf, mantelpiece, or glass display cabinet. Placing the piece alongside minimal modern backdrop elements emphasizes its graphic form and historic texture.

Keep carved wooden objects in a stable climate away from direct sunlight, dampness, and heat radiators to prevent timber splitting. Clean gently using a dry, soft-bristled brush to remove dust without disturbing flaking paint or original surface patination.
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