Renderings of an Ivory Carving of Ariadne from the 6th Century and an Ivory Plaque from the 9th Century

Herman Wilhelm Soltau

National Gallery of Art

The image contains two intricately carved sculptural pieces. On the left, there is a standing woman figure draped in robes, holding a staff and a round object. Two cherubic figures hover above her, each holding parts of a garland. Her expression is serene, facing slightly to her left. The sculpture features detailed folds in the fabric of her garments. The material seems ivory or cream-colored. At the bottom, a small goat-headed figure is visible. To the right, a rectangular panel displays interwoven scrollwork with smaller human and animal figures engaged in activities. The color and style match the main sculpture. The overall composition suggests ancient or classical themes with detailed ornamentation.