In 15th century England, a curious devotional image became popular. In its most common arrangement, a large decollated head of St. John the Baptist rests on a platter that resembles an halo. Above, two angels carry the soul of St. John to Heaven. Below, the Man of Sorrows emerges from the tomb. Aside are figures of St. Peter the Apostle and St. Thomas of Canterbury. Other saints are sometimes depicted above or below them. This icon usually took the form of a carved, painted, and gilt alabaster tablet made in workshops near Nottingham.
The Hildburgh collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum includes many of these tablets, including all of those pictured here.
