Panel from Chair of Maximian: Meeting of Jacob and Joseph. c. 6th century

Editor: This relief panel, "Meeting of Jacob and Joseph" from the Chair of Maximian, shows a very tactile scene. What draws my attention is its compact composition and the material itself. How do you approach an object like this? Curator: We must consider the materiality of the object as a reflection of its production. This panel, likely ivory, speaks to the trade routes and access to resources within the Byzantine empire. What kind of labor went into carving this? Editor: So, thinking about the artist's skill, are you suggesting that the materials themselves influenced the design and the social status of the object? Curator: Precisely. The very act of transforming raw material into a narrative form reflects both the patron's wealth and the artist's position within the societal structure, revealing a complex interplay between art, labor, and consumption. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider about the role of materials. Thanks!