The Gherardesca Diptych, [402 CE]

The Gherardesca ivory Diptych, detail upper part [402 CE]

London BM MN 1857,1013.1 -

Original photo by courtesy of Dan Diffendale, photoshop treatment by PA

 

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Leaf of a diptych; ivory; the panel is carved with the apotheosis of a pagan figure in three scenes:

 

Above, a man borne by personifications of two winds into heaven, where he is welcomed by five male figures. He passes an arc with six zodiacal signs, and is watched by the sun god Helios.

 

at bottom: four elephants draw a carriage carrying a dignitary, who sits beneath an aedicula with a gabled roof. He wears a toga and carries a staff and laurel branch.

Beyond the carriage, a funeral pyre surmounted by a quadriga bearing a god. From this pyre fly two eagles.

 

At the top of the panel, an openwork scroll with monogram

I read the letters ~ A C H M O R S V

 

Source: BM

Done