File:The ivory workers of the middle ages (1906) (14593308530).jpg

Identifier: ivoryworkersmidage00cust (find matches)
Title: The ivory workers of the middle ages
Year: 1906 (1900s)
Authors: Cust, Anna Maria Elizabeth
Subjects: Ivories
Publisher: London, G. Bell and sons
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Getty Research Institute

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of fourth century time of the beauti-ful tablets of theNicomachi and thewSymmachi (No.58), to which it isclosely allied by thewell-hung draperyand the surround-ing border of deli-cately cut honey-suckle pattern. The top has aslight gable, as inthe early diptychof Probus (Fig. 3),No. 2. Probianusis depicted in theTribunal, sit-ting on his high-backed throne, sur-rounded by hisclerks, who bearpiles of writingtablets, and below,probably outsidethe cancelli or bar-rier, which is tobe found in allRoman basilicas,stand the litigants,who appear to be CONSULAR DIPTVCHS congratulatinghim. O u t-stretched fin-gers, in earlyart, meant theact of speech,and then, asnow, congratu-latory addresseswere inscribedand presented.On the secondleaf we see theaddress on hisknee, and by acurious conven-tion he is writ-ing with his ownhand the wordstheyacclaimhim with, PROBIAXEFLOREAS. In the firstleaf he is de-livering judg-ment, and thetwo lower fig-ures wear thetoga, showingthey are of hiehrank, and on the
Text Appearing After Image:
AI.IXARI PHOTO.) (AObTA CATHEDRAL 3. FIRST LEAF OF THE DIPTYCH OFPROBUS IVORY WORKERS other both he and the litigants are arrayed in thechlamys of ordinary folk. Below, between thelitigants is seen a mysterious object on a tripodstand, which some say is the clepsydi^a or water-clock, and others declare to be the official inkpot.On the right of the Vice-Prefect is a curiousstandard-like erection called the vexilla i^egalia,on which was painted the portraits of the Emperorand Empress, and which was never absent fromany important ceremonial. The diptych first on Moliniers list covers anantiphonary in the Treasury of the Basilica atMonza, which contains so many other interestingantiquities. Legend tells us that this ivory was sent aboutthe year 600 to the Lombard queen, Theodolinda,by Pope Gregory the Great in acknowledgment ofher efforts to convert her very barbaric subjectsfrom the Arian heresy to Catholicism. Three figures are represented, a bearded soldierand a stately lady, who has w

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