Trier Adventus Ivory

The work is considered to be an "enigma of Early Byzantine art" and scholars have debated over the ivory's date of manufacture, its original location, and who is depicted.

[1] The Trier Ivory is thought to have been intended to be read from left to right and depict what is known as an adventus ceremony, a celebratory parade of a visiting emperor accompanied by senior ecclesiastical figures, and sometimes by holy relics.

[2] At the center and slightly to the right is an emperor, crowned and adorned in clothing stylistic of royalty during the Byzantine period, is leading the procession, accompanied by court officials.

Two bishops follow the emperor, riding a cart pulled by mules or ponies and holding a box that is believed to carry the holy relic.

The identification of the representations of the emperor and empress is debated; some art historians believe the pair could be Constantine the Great and his mother Helena or Justinian II and his wife.

The direction of the wagon's movement inexorably toward the scene at the right, toward the diminutive woman clothed in the rich costume of an Augusta … in it she deposited the holy relics.