Ciro Ferri Tondo
The Ciro Ferri Tondo showing ‘The Beheading of St John the Baptist’
The bronze tondo by Ciro Ferri depicts ‘The Beheading of St John the Baptist.’ It was placed in the centre of the antependium of the marble altar in the Oratory of the Beheading in St John’s Co-Cathedral in 1688. It was commissioned in order to complete the refurbishment project of the said Oratory initiated by Grand Master Gregorio Carafa (1680-90).
The relief had lost much of its clarity due to oxidization which resulted in the discolouration of the metal to a greenish-black hue. This condition obscured the refined details of this exquisite work. The restoration process consisted of the removal of several layers of wax and oxidisation deposits to reveal the fine chiselled details which contrast with the bright, smooth and polished surfaces.
The restoration took place in 1998 and was carried out by Sante Guido Restauro Opere d’Arte