Lacunar carved ivory plaque depicting a woman in profile under a pine branch. Front view photograph.

The Symmachi diptych panel, Cl. 17048 © GrandPalaisRmn / Thierry Ollivier

The Symmachi diptych panel

Description

On display - room 2

5th century

Antiquity

On this panel, a priestess, bust bare, rekindles the flame of an altar. The pine tree sheltering her suggests a depiction of worship dedicated to the goddess Cybele, the ceremonies of which were held beneath this sacred tree.

Above the young woman, a cartouche lists the Nicomachi lineage. 

We know of the other panel of this diptych (Victoria& Albert Museum, London) which shows the Symmachi. The diptych, a masterpiece of Roman ivory art, no doubt celebrated the union between these Roman families, who continued to follow pagan cults.

The exquisite fine detail of the ivory craftsmanship means this piece exudes a certain allure, its material making it valuable.

It comes from the abbey of Montier-en-Der (Haute-Marne), where it was mounted on a reliquary.
 

From one artwork to another

Carved stone block: full-length figure of a man facing forward, dressed in a long Roman toga, holding a spear. Front photograph.

Pillar of the Boatmen, stone of Jupiter, Cl. 18602 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Pillar of the Boatmen

Between 14 and 37

Carved stone block: musician in profile playing a long horn. Front photograph.

Saint Landry Pillar, Musician, rose window and leaf motif, Cl. 18607 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Saint-Landry Pillar

First half of the 2nd century

Médaillon tissé représentant une femme qui tend une coupe à un serpent enroulé autour d’un arbre. Un homme attrape un agneau. Vue de face.

Jason et Médée, Cl. 22813 © GrandPalaisRmn / Gérard Blot

Jason et Médée

IVe siècle - Ve siècle