Constantinople, 6th century AD
Standing beneath an ornate arch, at the top of a flight of steps, the archangel holds and orb and a staff. The Greek inscription, which would have continued on the other leaf read: Receive the suppliant before you, despite his sinfulness.
This is the largest surviving Byzantine ivory panel and probably represents an imperial commission originating from Constantinople. It has been suggested that the angel was presenting the orb to an emperor, perhaps Justinian I (527-565 AD), who was depicted on the other lost leaf.
Size
Height: 42.8 cm (16.9 in) Width: 14.3 cm (5.6 in) Depth: 0.9 cm (0.35 in)
{{Information |Description={{en|1=Ivory panel from a Byzantine diptych. Constantinople (AD 525-550). Archangel. British Museum (London)}} |Source=travail personnel (own work) |Author=Michel wal |Date=2008 |Permission= |other_versions=