Symmachi Panel

 

The Symmachi Panel, unknown maker, Rome, Italy, about 400 AD, carved elephant ivory. Museum no.212-1865, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

With the ushering in of the Christian Era paganism is waning, but some of the populace still holds true to the old ways. This diptych is an engraving of a pagan scene relating to the cults of Bacchus and Jupiter. It was likely made in dedication to the conjoining of two aristocratic families either in marriage or priestess hood. Whatever the reason there seemed to be a revival of Neo-classic ivory carvings near the end of the 4th century just when paganism was outlawed.(1) 

This one foot tall ivory relief is only one half of a diptych made between 393 to 394 AD. A diptych is a two paneled piece that folds together with the carvings facing out. There would be a small recess in between the panels so that wax could be poured inside to enable a person to carve out letters, poetry, or messages.  This half is called the Symmachi tablet due to the inscription at the top and named for the family. The other half of the diptych is the Nichomachi tablet, but due to its poor condition we will only focus on the Symmachi half. (1)

In the panel we see a priestess standing before an altar. She has ivy, the plant of Bacchus, in her hair, and she is standing under an oak tree, a symbol of Jupiter. She is sprinkling incense onto a fire in front of a boy holding a cup of fruit and a jar of wine. It is thought to have been an adaptation or copy of a Greek relief. (2)

There is some argument over what occasion, if any, the panels represent. Marriage, priestesshood, or a functioning codex are some theories. What we do know is that the piece is reminiscent of the Greek style of relief sculpture. The individuals are sculpted in profile and the drapery is incredibly detailed. The weight is born on a single leg in Greek contrapposto style. It is a throwback to earlier art. Could this be a rebellion against the new monotheistic religion? Maybe this piece was a codex used to send secret messages between the families who were both senatorial. It is likely that some of the populous would have fought to keep their traditions, and the aristocratic citizens would have had the most to lose. (1)

    Notes

    1. Unknown, Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index, accessed September 16, 2020, https://inpress.lib.uiowa.edu/feminae/DetailsPage.aspx?Feminae_ID=37594

    2. The Symmachi Panel, about 400 AD, Victoria and Albert Museum, accessed September 16, 2020, www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/t/the-symmachi-panel/