Magdeburg Ivories

Lasko suggests that fewer than half the original group survive, and mentions the Carolingian cycle of 62 wall paintings at Saint John Abbey, Müstair, which includes seven of the fifteen narrative scenes in the ivories.

The strong emphasis among the surviving plaques on episodes from the gospel accounts of Christ's period of ministry might suggest that they decorated a pulpit rather than an altar.

[6] On the function of the original object, Williamson favours a door, Lasko leans towards a pulpit, and Beckwith an antependium, but none are very emphatic in their preference.

[7] The style of the figures is described by Peter Lasko as "very heavy, stiff, and massive ... with extremely linear and flat treatment of drapery ... in simple but powerful compositions".

This was probably always meant for a book's treasure binding, and shows a standing Christ, with the heads of the Apostles emerging from the background to either side of him.