The Emperor Constantine and St Helena.

This oak carving depicts the Emperor Constantine and St Helena. The figures are in the style of Netherlandish or Lower Rhenish sculpture of the late 15th century and was conceived as a wooden model for a reliquary to be made by a goldsmith. The central stem was presumably intended to support a container holding a relic of the True Cross, said to have been discovered by St Helena. Although the carving is quite convincing the absence of any comparable medieval models and the misunderstanding if details such as the open work ornament below the base, suggests that it is a skilful 19th century fake.