Panel of casket: Passion of Christ c. 5th - 6th century

Curator: This is a section of an ivory casket panel depicting the Passion of Christ, crafted by an unidentified maker. Editor: It’s striking, this stark relief against the aged ivory. The composition feels both dense and quite linear in its storytelling. Curator: Exactly, the scenes are layered—the top register shows Christ before Pilate, while below we see Peter's denial. Consider how power dynamics are visualized. Editor: And the material itself—ivory—speaks to luxury, trade routes, and potentially exploitation, all embedded within this religious narrative. Who produced this, and under what labor conditions? Curator: The absence of the artist’s name allows us to reflect on the broader socio-cultural context. It prompts questions about identity, authorship, and the suppression of marginalized voices. Editor: Ultimately, these panels invite us to contemplate the layered stories within the material and how those stories speak to power, faith, and the hidden hands that shaped them. Curator: Indeed, a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of art, history, and the critical questions we must continue to ask.