The Betrayal of Christ, Nottingham alabaster 15th century

A large fragment of the betrayal of Christ by Judas (or ‘The Kiss of Judas’) in Nottingham alabaster (15th century). On the right we see Christ holding his cheek towards Judas while the hand of the latter rests on Christ’s right shoulder. In the middle, a roman soldier is looking down upon Saint Peter, who holds his sword in the right hand and sheath in the left. With this sword Peter has just cut off the right ear of Malchus, servant of high priest Caiaphas, in charge of the arrest of Christ. Malchus would be lying down on the ground, underneath Peter and Christ, wriggling with pain. We can still see his arm reaching upwards towards the hand of Jesus, who will perform His last miracle before His crucifixion by re-attaching the ear back to the head of Malchus. We can see that Jesus casually holds Malchus’ ear in His right hand and gives it back to him. Judas – surrounded by roman soldiers - would have been standing next to Jesus, giving Him the kiss of betrayal (the one kissed by Judas was for Malchus the sign for the one to be arrested). Weathered, chips to the noses. Excellent condition (unbroken). The lips of Jesus have minimal remains of original red polychromy. On a faded velvet stand.
Dimensions (without stand): 30x14,5x4cm.
Bibliography: in his book ‘English Medieval Alabasters’ Francis Cheetham gives some examples of Betrayal scenes in the Victoria & Albert Museum (illustrations 151-158 on p224-231). The one depicted on p.229 (ill.156) is the one closest to our fragment