© Nottingham Castle
St. Thomas is kneeling at the lower left holding the Virgin's girdle, God the Father in benediction is above, flanked by angels playing a harp and a lute. The alabaster was originally coloured and a large proportion of the paint survives.
Nottingham Castle was one of eight museums to win a share of £75,000 from the Art Fund in 2010 as part of Art Fund Collect, an annual initiative that allows museums to acquire significant works of art from the Crafts Council's art fair Collect.
The chosen object, a brooch by Italian goldsmith Giovanni Corvaja, was bought by Nottingham Castle with a 100% grant from the Art Fund of £13,000. It is made from gold and platinum gossamer and platinum wire. The gossamer is as fine as human hair and is scattered with drops of coloured enamel.
The Passion of Christ altarpiece at Nottingham Castle is one of only two near-complete Nottingham alabaster altarpieces in the UK. It is dominated by a central panel depicting the Holy Trinity and features scenes from the Passion on either side. The piece was given a grant of £12,375 in 1983 towards the total cost of £49,500.
