Two polychrome decorated plaster reliefs, in the style of Nottingham Alabasters, The Burning of the Philosophers and The Beheading of St Catherine, late 18th/early 19th century, in medieval revival oak frames, 50 x 25cm and 50 x 27cm (2) Note: This rare pair of reliefs are mentioned twice by Francis Cheetham in the Victoria & Albert Museum catalogue of English Medieval Alabasters, 1984 and Alabaster images of Medieval England, 2003. They are also mentioned in Collectors Luck, Stowers Johnson, p194, figure 36, London, 1968. In the fifteenth and sixteenth century, Nottingham was the centre of an industry carving locally mined alabaster, a material famous for its characteristically creamy and milky texture, which made it easier to carve and to paint than other materials. It became popular in the use of tomb carving and small religious carvings, particularly panels. It was transported by water and road across England to various sculpture centres and even internationally as far north as Iceland and as far south as Spain. The current lot is an idiosyncratic revival of such panels. Inspired by the Medieval examples, the lot was perhaps made as an appreciation to the rarity of the original panels. The Roman emperor Maxentius abducted St Catherine of Alexandria and ordered philosophers to convert her to paganism. When they failed and became Christians themselves, Maxentius ordered them to be burnt to death. St Catherine was also condemned to death, firstly on a spiked breaking wheel, but at her touch it shattered. Maxentius then ordered her to be beheaded, as depicted in the current lot. Please refer to department for condition report