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Diptych of Boethius

The Diptych of Boethius is an ivory consular diptych dating from the end of the fifth century AD and now conserved in the Museo di Santa Giulia in Brescia. It was acquired by Cardinal Angelo Maria Querini during the eighteenth century and later passed to the Museo dell'Era Cristiana through his will. The diptych depicts the consul on both panels, shown with a toga picta, a sceptre topped by an eagle and globe, and a mappa circensis used to open consul-sponsored games. Money bags at his feet emphasize his generosity. The inscriptions identify the person commemorated as Manlius Boethius and record the office and event being celebrated. The work also shows careful final carving with a burin to vary the relief and add fine decorative detail.

Diptych of Boethius with two carved ivory panels showing robed male figures holding staffs.
The Diptych of Boethius, two intricately carved ivory panels displayed upright in a museum case.
June 2011 © · Attribution
Diptych of Boethius ivory panels showing two robed male figures in high relief with decorative borders and inscriptions.
The Diptych of Boethius, displayed as two carved ivory panels with robed figures and ornamental inscriptions.
June 2011 © · Attribution
Diptych of Boethius with two carved ivory panels showing standing male figures in robes holding staffs topped with birds.
The Diptych of Boethius, showing two intricately carved ivory panels with standing figures and decorative borders.
June 2011 © · Attribution
Carved consular diptych of Boethius showing a seated man in a patterned robe holding a staff, with a Latin inscription above and objects at his feet.
Consular diptych of Boethius, a carved panel with a seated figure, inscription, and monogrammed wreath.
1909 © Ludwig von Sybel. · Public domain
Diptych of Boethius carved ivory panel with a robed figure holding a staff topped by a bird beneath an ornate pediment.
The Diptych of Boethius, showing a carved ivory panel with a central robed figure and decorative inscription above.
June 2011 © · Attribution

Identification

TitleDiptych of Boethius
Number of panelsTwo
Typelate antique consular diptych
Alternative titleDyptyk Boecjusza

Historical context

Date487
Made forManlius Boethius, for his consulship and second appointment as praefectus urbi of Rome

Creator

Place of productionRome
Made byRoman workshops / Roman artisans

Materials

MaterialIvory

Physical characteristics

Dimensions35 × 12.6 cm

Appearance

DecorationEach leaf has a pediment with a laurel wreath containing the monogram BOET; the panels are framed by a palmette border and set within an architectural frame of Corinthian pilasters, a frieze, and pediments
Depicted personManlius Boethius
Pose and attributes on first panelStanding frontally and holding an ivory scepter topped with an eagle
Pose and attributes on second panelSeated on a curule chair, holding a scepter and a mappa circensis, with money bags and palms at his feet
Clothingornamenta triumphalia, including the toga picta and tunica palmata, with geometric embroidery on the tunics

Iconography and meaning

Typical useConsular diptychs were commonly given as gifts to friends and loved ones on important occasions, usually elections to public office
Language of inscriptionsLatin
SubjectCelebration of Manlius Boethius' consulship and second appointment as praefectus urbi
FunctionPurely celebratory and commemorative object
Interpreted occasionProbably the games of the Natalis Urbis on 21 April
Dedication inscriptionNONIVS ARRIVS MANLIVS BOETHIVS VIR CLARISSIMVS ET ILLVSTRIS | EX PRAEFECTO PRAETORIO PRAEFECTVS VRBIS SECVNDO CONSVL ORDINARIVS ET PATRICIVS

Technique

Carving techniqueFinely engraved with a burin

History and restoration

Back decorationPaintings added in the 7th or 8th century
Back figuresSaint Augustine, Jerome, Gregory the Great, and the Raising of Lazarus
Museum historyFirst displayed in the Museo dell'Era Cristiana in rooms of the suppressed Monastery of Santa Giulia in the early 19th century; transferred to the Museo di Santa Giulia in 1998

Discovery and provenance

Acquired byCardinal Angelo Maria Querini
Acquisition dateEarly 18th century
BequestBequeathed to the city of Brescia in 1755

Location and ownership

Current locationMuseo di Santa Giulia, Brescia
Museum collectionQuerini Collection
Display locationShowcases dedicated to the Querini Collection in the Collecting and Applied Arts section

Significance

Historical statusUnknown to ancient artistic literature