Troyes Casket

The artisan who carved the casket is unknown, as is the identity of the person it was created for, although it is believed to have been crafted for a member of the imperial court due to its themes and the expensive materials it is constructed from.

Purple was considered a royal color in Byzantium, and only members of the imperial family and court were allowed to wear or use it.

[4] The shorter end panels depict, or were heavily inspired by representations of, the mythical Chinese bird known as the fenghuang.

On the lid panel, two men on horses are carved riding away from a walled city, which may be intended to represent Constantinople.

The two figures are believed to represent an unknown emperor and his heir, carrying out the action of expanding their empire through war.