Ravenna 
Mid-sixth century 
Ivory, 1.50 m 

Constructed upon a wooden frame, it is entirely covered with ivory panels. Wonderfully rich strips of vine scrolls frame the many figural panels. On the front, beneath Maximian's monogram, the four Evangelists flank John the Baptist. Under each armrest are episodes from the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50), while the entire back, both inside and outside, represents the early life of Christ and his miracles. It is now located at the Archiepiscopal Museum in Ravenna.