Diptych of Consul Baldricus c. 6th century

Curator: Here we have a panel from the Diptych of Consul Baldricus, an ivory carving of unknown date. The craftsmanship suggests a high level of skill. Editor: It's quite striking. The vertical composition and dense imagery give it a feeling of formality, almost rigid. Curator: Yes, the imagery is very deliberate. We see Baldricus himself enthroned, flanked by figures holding symbols of power. Notice the putti at the bottom, a common symbol of Roman authority. Editor: And the lions beneath the throne? They seem to represent strength and dominion, reflecting Baldricus’s position within the social hierarchy. Curator: Precisely. The object becomes an ideological statement—a reinforcement of his status. The material itself, ivory, adds another layer of meaning. Editor: Ivory as a marker of luxury, power, and perhaps even a link to older, more established traditions. It really speaks to the politics of display in that era. Curator: Indeed, and it reveals the ways in which objects like these were designed to communicate very specific messages about power and authority. Editor: Considering all the imagery, this diptych seems to be more than just a portrait; it's a constructed narrative of power frozen in time.