|
Any object that is doubled or folded in two parts is a diptych. The term diptych in ancient Greek actually means, "Double folded." However, the title, diptych, was most commonly associated with a notebook type of object used for writing memoranda and other documents.
The consular diptychs were made of two pieces of ivory that were hinged together in the center resembling a book. The average sizes of the ivory pieces were 12 inches in height and 5 to 6 inches in width. There are exceptions to this size, however. There are diptychs that have been found that are much larger. The Byzantine Angel in the British Museum is 16 ¼ by 5 ½ inches. No known elephant tusk could grow large enough to produce a sheet of ivory of this size. This leads many historians to believe that perhaps the ancients were capable of joining the ivory unnoticeably. The more likely explanation of this is that elephants had not been killed in great numbers and so the larger tusks were obtainable.
On the inner surface of the ivory leaves of a consular diptych small grooves were made in order to hold a thin layer of wax. The surface of the wax was most likely painted black or green. Once the wax was painted, a small tool called a style was used to scratch a message into the wax surface. The lettering would show up white against the black or green background, causing the letters to stand out and thus be more legible. The outer parts of the ivory leaves were elaborately decorated in relief style. On the outside of the consular diptychs, the consuls were depicted on one leaf and, it is believed that the Fasti Consulars, or the list of the consuls up until the present benefactor, were also inscribed somewhere on the opposite ivory leaf, however, this was not so in every case. Many times the consul was depicted on both leaves, with his name inscribed above him.
The ivory diptychs were easily transportable and beautifully and skillfully crafted. Therefore it became very popular among the consuls to commission ivory diptychs in honor of special events, such as birthdays, festivals during their consulship, and of course, the most obvious event would have been the inauguration of the consul himself. The consuls in the beginning were not the only ones commissioning ivory diptychs. Anyone who could afford an ivory diptych could use them. However, the diptychs became so expensive that in the year 384 under the reign of Theodosius, the use of ivory diptychs were banned for use by anyone other than the consuls. The consular diptychs were therefore made with the finest ivory, carved by the finest artists, and at times mounted on gold.
|
|
