English, Nottingham, 15th century

Considering the age of the object, the conditon of the alabaster is good, with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The background is lost at the top, leaving a fragmented edge around the figure. There are remnants of polychromy, in particular in the crevices and to the grass around the feet of St John. There are chips and abrasions to the edges and high points throughout, including larger chips to a fold of drapery at the front. There is a loss to one fork of St John's beard. There is rubbing to the alabaster in areas, in particular to the saint's face and there is considerable wear to the head of the lamb. There is particular wear to the proper right foot. There is a small hole in the proper left arm. The alabaster is mounted on a modern perspex stand, there are two screws in the back to hold it in place. There are scratches to the back throughout. There is a drilled 's' shaped indent to the centre of the back. There are two filled holes to the back at the bottom right side and the upper left side. The bottom right hole has been drilled through to the front, where a restoration is visible.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

St John the Baptist was one of the most popular saints in the repertoire of English 15th-century alabasters. This very beautiful example, with a charming camel with elongated neck, is close to the example in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. A64-1946).

RELATED LITERATURE
F. Cheetham, English Medieval Alabaster: With a catalogue of the collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Oxford, pp. 113-115, nos. 42-44; F. Cheetham, Alabaster Images of Medieval England, Woodbridge, 2003, pp. 46-48; R. Marks and P. Williamson, Gothic Art for England 1400-1547, exh. cat. Victoria and Albert Museum, London, pp. 390-396, nos. 275-283