Henri Regnault, Salomé, 1870

In the Bible, Salome, the daughter of King Herod and Herodias, danced for Herod on his birthday. He was so pleased that he told Salome that he would grant her any wish. Herodias wanted the head of John the Baptist because he had said that Herodias’ marriage to Herod wasn’t legit, and so Salome asked for his head to be delivered on a silver platter.
Matthew 14:9-11 – And the king was struck sad: yet because of his oath, and for them that sat with him at table, he commanded it to be given. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a dish: and it was given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother.