A polychrome wood group of Salome presenting the head of St John the Baptist, Brussels circa 1500

Salome places the dish with the head on a tressel table before Herod and Herodias, the fragment of another figure between these two, a dog scratches his ear at Herod's feet, some remaining polychromy

This delicate and fine group is crammed with fascinating details. Salome sways and bends as she presents the head in a continuation of her dance, whilst a dog scratches his ear, oblivious to the momentous nature of the human activity surrounding him. Rather than recoiling from the head the enthroned Herod and his wife seem fascinated by it and Herodias holds the plate in one hand whilst marking the forehead of the Saint's head with her own knife in a peculiar motif.