Bone Carving, Possibly of a Dionysiac Revel

Unknown

300–500 · Ivory · Medieval Art

Bone plaques were used to decorate couches, chests, and other furniture. Some were carved in relief; others were carved in intaglio with the incised designs often filled with colored wax. Both styles could be used on the same object. The designs frequently represent Dionysiac themes.

Artist

Unknown

Date

300–500

Medium

Ivory

Culture

Byzantine

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917