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Throne of Maximian

Throne of Maximian is an ivory-carved throne made for Archbishop Maximian of Ravenna. It is now on display in the Archiepiscopal Museum of Ravenna. The throne is generally believed to have been carved in the Greek East of the Byzantine Empire, though scholars have long debated whether it was made in Constantinople or Alexandria. Its style combines Early Christian art with the First Golden Age of Byzantine art. Built on a wooden frame, it is decorated with carved ivory panels and vine borders. The reliefs show scenes from the Life of Christ, the Story of Joseph, and the Four Evangelists around John the Baptist, who holds a medallion with the Lamb of God.

Throne of Maximian, an ornate ivory throne with carved panels of robed figures and decorative animal motifs.
The Throne of Maximian, an intricately carved ivory cathedra with narrative relief panels.
May 2023 © · CC BY 2.0
Throne of Maximian with a high curved back and carved relief panels showing robed figures and decorative motifs.
The Throne of Maximian is shown in a black-and-white photograph, highlighting its richly carved panels and decorative details.
© Georg Vitzthum von Eckstädt · Public domain
Throne of Maximian with a high arched back and ornate relief carvings inside a glass case.
The Throne of Maximian shown in side view, with its carved decorative panels visible.
© · Public domain
Relief panel from the Throne of Maximian with five haloed figures in vertical sections, surrounded by carved vines and animals.
Carved relief on the Throne of Maximian, showing five haloed figures framed by intricate vine and animal motifs.
November 2015 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Pencil drawing of a bearded figure in draped robes holding a book within an arched frame, with handwritten text below and a color chart at the side.
Detail drawing of the Throne of Maximian showing a bearded figure in draped robes within an architectural frame.
1867 © · Public domain

Identification

TitleThrone of Maximian
TypeEpiscopal throne (cathedra)
Alternative namesCátedra de Maximiano; Maximianus; Episcopal throne of Maximian; Maximian's Cathedra; Кафедра Максимиана; Tron Maksymiana

Historical context

DateMid-6th century; about 545–553; exact date unknown and debated
Historical contextMade after Ravenna was conquered by Byzantine forces under Justinian I in 540, during the reign of Justinian I

Creator

Artist / makerUnknown; probably several Byzantine artists
Patron / commissionerPossibly Emperor Justinian I; associated with Archbishop Maximian of Ravenna
Place of manufactureUncertain; possibly Constantinople, Alexandria, Syria, Ravenna, or the Greek East of the Byzantine Empire

Discovery and provenance

Made forArchbishop Maximian of Ravenna
Identification basisInterpretation of the monogram on the front panel reading MAXIMIANVS EPISCOPVS ('Maximian bishop')
Function / intended useProbably used as an episcopal seat for the bishops of Ravenna; its actual function is unclear and it may instead have served as a symbolic throne for sacred books or as an empty throne representing divine or imperial authority
Original locationThe cartilogio of the ancient Ursine Cathedral of Ravenna
Current locationArchiepiscopal Museum of Ravenna, Ravenna
Provenance notesFirst mentioned in the 10th-century Chronicon Venetum; later sources appear in 1664; rediscovered in 1919

History and restoration

Restoration historyRestored in the 1930s, with a second restoration in 1956; missing ivory panels were replaced with wooden boards covered in parchment and some recovered panels were reintegrated

Physical characteristics

StructureWooden frame covered with carved ivory panels
Panel countOriginally 26 or 39 carved panels; 27 panels survive, including 16 back panels that survive or were restored
DimensionsAbout 1.50 m high and 0.60 m wide
FormLarge throne with a high semicircular back

Materials

MaterialsIvory and wood; some missing panels were replaced with wooden boards covered in parchment
TechniqueIvory carving in relief

Appearance

DecorationRichly decorated with vegetal ornament, vine-scroll frames, birds and animals, and biblical scenes
Carved frameCarved panels with winding vine and grapevine frames
AppearanceSimple, well-proportioned lines combined with elaborate carvings

Iconography and meaning

InterpretationThe Joseph cycle was likely chosen for its relevance to a bishop's civil-government role; the object also alludes to the bishop's teaching function and pastoral authority
Side decorationScenes from the History of Joseph / the Story of Joseph from Genesis
Back decorationScenes from the Life of Christ
Front decorationThe Four Evangelists around John the Baptist, who holds a medallion with the Lamb of God; Maximian's name appears above him
Iconographic contentScenes from the Life of Christ, the Story of Joseph from Genesis, the Four Evangelists, John the Baptist, and other biblical figures

Location and ownership

Current displayRavenna
Associated personMaximian, archbishop of Ravenna (bishop of Ravenna; consecrated in 546; in office 546–554)
Associated rulerJustinian I

Significance

Stylistic classificationEarly Christian and early Byzantine ivory sculpture; stylistically related to Greco-Oriental, Coptic, and Syrian art
SignificanceThe largest ivory piece surviving from Late Antiquity and a rare type of furnishing
Scholarly statusThe date, origin, commissioner, and function are debated; origin has been proposed as Constantinople, Alexandria, Syria, Ravenna, or the Greek East of the Byzantine Empire

Other

NotesA possible former feature was a jeweled cross or Gospel book; four carvers are mentioned in one account; the throne may have been designed to be movable and carried in ceremonies