Replica of Stilicho and Serena Diptych c. 5th century

Editor: We're looking at a replica of the Stilicho and Serena Diptych. Carved in, well, something that looks like bone, this piece, of unknown origin, feels very regal, almost frozen in time. What stories do you think it whispers? Curator: It certainly has a statuesque quality, doesn't it? The diptych format itself, two panels hinged together, speaks of duality, perhaps mirroring the balance of power and family. I wonder about the original function. Was it a gift, a personal memento? What do you make of the figures' expressions? Editor: They seem very serious, almost stoic. Curator: Exactly! And that might offer a clue. Perhaps it was a way to project authority and virtue, a carefully constructed image for posterity. Food for thought! Editor: Definitely! I never thought about it that way before.