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Justinian as World Conqueror
The Barberini Ivory, mid-sixth century


A larger image of Justinian as world conqueror. The Barberini Ivory, mid-sixth century.


Numéro d’inventaire Numéro principal : OA 9063
Autre numéro d'inventaire : MND 211
Inventory number Principal number : OA 9063
Other inventory number : MND 211
Collection Département des Objets d'art du Moyen Age, de la Renaissance et des temps modernesCollection Department of Works of Art of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Modern Times
Artiste / Auteur / Ecole / Centre artistique AnonymeArtist Anonymous

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION
Titre Feuillet de diptyque en cinq parties : l'Empereur triomphant (Justinien?).Title Diptych leaf in five parts: The Triumphant Emperor (Justinian?).
Titre d'usage Diptyque BarberiniUsage title Barberini Diptych
Autre titre Ivoire BarberiniOther title Barberini Ivory
Type d'objet feuillet de diptyqueType of object diptych leaf
Description / Décor Cet ivoire est le seul feuillet quasi complet de diptyque impérial subsistant de nos jours ; les feuillets étaient constitués d'un assemblage de cinq éléments. Seule manque aujourd'hui la plaquette de droite qui s'emboîtait, comme les autres, autour de la plaque centrale grâce à un système de rainures et d'onglets permettant la largeur importante de l'ensemble. Au centre du diptyque est sculpté en haut-relief le triomphe d'un empereur à cheval, Anastase (491-518) ou plutôt Justinien (527-565). À sa droite, aujourd'hui disparue, une allégorie de la Victoire, posée sur un globe gravé d'une croix, lui tendait autrefois une couronne. Une lance, tenue dans la main droite du cavalier et fichée dans le sol, retient un personnage barbu (un Perse ou un Scythe d'après le costume et le bonnet). Une femme, symbole de la Terre, est assise sous les sabots du cheval, elle s'empare du pied droit de l'empereur dans un geste de soumission. En haut du feuillet, le buste du Christ bénissant est accosté de Victoires ailées. À gauche, un militaire s'apprête à remettre au cavalier une statuette de Victoire ailée munie d'une couronne de laurier. En bas, les populations vaincues viennent verser le tribut au vainqueur. La vision du triomphe ainsi que la toute-puissance de l'empereur byzantin prédominent dans la composition. Au revers du feuillet, est inscrite toute une liste de noms de personnages du royaume d'Austrasie du VIIe siècle. DescriptionThis ivory is the only almost complete leaf of imperial diptych surviving today; the leaves consisted of an assembly of five elements. The only thing missing today is the right plate which fitted, like the others, around the central plate thanks to a system of grooves and tabs allowing the large width of the assembly. In the center of the diptych is carved in high relief the triumph of an emperor on horseback, Anastasius (491-518) or rather Justinian (527-565). To his right, which has now disappeared, an allegory of Victory, placed on a globe engraved with a cross, once held out a crown to him. A spear, held in the rider's right hand and stuck in the ground, holds a bearded character (a Persian or a Skythian according to the costume and the cap). A woman, symbol of the Earth, sits under the horse's hooves, she holds the emperor's right foot in a gesture of submission. At the top of the leaf, the bust of Christ blessing is held by Winged Victories. On the left, a soldier is about to hand the rider a winged Victory statuette with a laurel wreath. Below, the conquered populations come to pay tribute to the conqueror. The vision of triumph as well as the omnipotence of the Byzantine emperor predominate in the composition. On the reverse side of the leaf, there is a whole list of names of characters from the kingdom of Austrasia from the 7th century.

CARACTÉRISTIQUES MATÉRIELLES

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Dimensions Hauteur avec accessoire : 34,2 cm ; Hauteur : 19 cm ; Largeur avec accessoire : 26,8 cm ; Largeur : 12,5 cm ; Epaisseur avec accessoire : 2,8 cmDimensions Height with accessory: 34.2 cm; Height: 19 cm; Width with accessory: 26.8 cm; Width: 12.5 cm; Thickness with accessory: 2.8 cm
Matière et technique Matériau : ivoire d'éléphant = défense d'éléphantMaterials and techniques Material : Elephant tusk ivory

LIEUX ET DATES

PLACES AND DATES
Epoque / période Bas Empire (Antiquité->époque romaine)Epoque / period : Early Empire (Antiquity-> Roman period)
Date de création/fabrication 525 - 550Date of creation/fabrication 525 - 550
Lieu de création / fabrication / exécution Constantinople (Byzance)Place of origin Constantinople (Byzantium)
Source: Louvre OA 9063

[Note the Germanic? soldiers at lower left and the Indians? at lower right.]



The main panel is referenced on p.32, Byzantine Cavalryman c.900-1204 by Timothy Dawson (Author), Giuseppe Rava (Illustrator)
Although the rider's dress and equipment is characterized by antiquarian stylization, other evidence confirms that the horse furniture shown on the Barberini ivory is a good indication of how ornamental the best middle Byzantine era could be.



LATE ROMAN EMPEROR THEODOSIUS I OR JUSTINIAN
Louvre Museum, Paris
The Barberini Ivory, generally dated to the sixth century, is half of a Byzantine diptych, the centerpiece of which portrays an emperor—indicated by his crown—thought to be either Theodosius I or Justinian. The emperor is mounted on a strong horse, and he wears a lorica segmentata, with a solid bronze torso plate and a skirt and shoulder armor of two layers of bronze strips. He wears no other armor and carries no weapons. Of equal interest to the study of arms and armor is the soldier depicted on the right side of the emperor. He wears the same armor as the emperor, although his shoulder armor appears to be a solid plate—the emperor’s is hidden. He also wears a long sword in a scabbard attached to his left side.
Source: p.221, Medieval Weapons: An Illustrated History of Their Impact eds. Kelly DeVries & Robert D. Smith (2007)



See also Byzantine soldiers on the Throne of Archbishop Maximian of Ravenna, Constantinople or Alexandria, 545-553AD
The Rabbula Gospels Evangelia characteribus Syriacis exarata Northern Syria, 586AD
6th-7th century Byzantines in the Ashburnham Pentateuch
Byzantine plates of the reign of Herakleios with biblical characters in Roman costume & armour, early 7th century
Other 6th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
Other Byzantine Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers