Luxury objects from ivory
  In the Early Byzantine period, carved ivory was made into a variety of luxury objects, namely diptychs, caskets, cylindrical boxes and furniture revetments. The richly decorated ivory diptych developed from a pair of writing tables which eventually lost their function, and served mainly commemorative purposes. Several examples bearing images of consuls were distributed by these high officials when they took office. Consular diptychs often show the consul presiding over a chariot race or the fighting of wild beasts. Other diptycts and panels picture the emperor (Barberini ivory panel) or liturgical themes.