Diptych of Consul Rufius Probianus c. 5th century

Editor: Here we have the "Diptych of Consul Rufius Probianus," an ivory carving of unknown date by an anonymous artist, at the Harvard Art Museums. I’m struck by the detailed craftsmanship. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Let's focus on the ivory itself. It wasn't just a material, but a statement of wealth and power. The labor involved in acquiring, carving, and transporting it across distances speaks to the social structures of the time. Who had access to this material and why? Editor: So, the value wasn't just aesthetic but also economic and social? Curator: Precisely. And consider the division of labor in its creation. This wasn’t a solitary act, but a process involving many hands, reflecting production systems and their underlying power dynamics. Editor: It’s fascinating to think about all the unseen labor that went into this. Curator: Absolutely, considering these factors gives us a richer understanding, wouldn’t you agree?