Greek-Orthodox (‘Rum’) icon, 19th century. From the Antalya region.
Name of the icon: “John the Baptist, the Angel of the Desert” (wich is one of his ornamental names in Eastern Orthodox Church).
John's severed head is portrayed on a platter as a sign of his martyrdom.
In the lower right corner, there is a tree with an ax at its base. The Ax and Tree are echos of John's message:
“And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire”. (Matthew 3:9-10)

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: ‘Experimental Theology‘ (Richard Beck)