Casket with mythological and battles scenes, casket plaque with a warrior

This casket is part of a family of approximately forty caskets produced in Constantinople around the year 1000. The frieze decor features an alternation of rosettes and stylised profiles. A series of small ivory tiles on each side represents various scenes from Greco-Roman mythology (Heracles’ adventures, the kidnappings of Ganymedes' and Dejanire) and combats in amphitheatres or war. The cover depicts a battle scene with two chariots and a fortified structure.

The enduring appreciation for ancient motifs is evident in this mass-produced piece intended for the court of the Macedonian dynasty and the lay elites.