Ivoren blad van een evangeliarium met een reliëf, voorstellende het Lam Gods en scènes uit het Nieuwe Testament before 1864

This ivory relief, depicting the Lamb of God and scenes from the New Testament, was made by Pompeo Pozzi. Ivory’s a fascinating material – dense yet carvable, luxurious but derived from animal life. The artist has skillfully rendered a range of narrative scenes, framed around the central motif. Imagine the slow, careful process of removing material to create this intricate composition. The relief would have required specialized tools and a deep understanding of ivory’s unique properties. In the 19th century, ivory was a precious commodity, obtained through global trade networks that often involved exploitation. Carving ivory was a highly specialized craft, typically reserved for skilled artisans working for wealthy patrons or religious institutions. The very act of carving transforms a raw material into a potent symbol of faith and power, reflecting both artistic skill and the complex social dynamics of its time. Recognizing the artistry of this ivory relief allows us to better appreciate the material and its connections to labor, belief, and cultural exchange.