Ambon of Henry II

The original pieces include an ancient agate bowl, which probably dates from the third or fourth century AD.

[3] How Henry II came into possession of this agate bowl is not known for certain, but the sources report that Byzantine delegations brought him gifts.

There is also a rock crystal cup and bowl which are probably Eastern work of the late tenth or eleventh century AD.

Only the panel showing Matthew (upper left) is original; the other three reliefs were cast from plaster models in the 1870s.

There is very unusual decoration on the side portions – six convex ivory tablets made in Alexandria or elsewhere in Egypt in the sixth century AD.

Another tablet shows the Nereids, the daughters of the Greek sea god Nereus and his wife Doris and attendants of Poseidon riding on marine animals.

Casually leaning on a column with his legs crossed, he grasps the vine leaf surrounding him and swinging a pot over his head pours a wid arc of wine down a lion's throat.

The use of ancient motifs and elements in art is a major justification for the (not undisputed) term "Ottonian Renaissance" to which the ambon, with its unique design, can be assigned.