An image of Christ on the heavenly throne appears on the lid of this small ivory casket. He is framed by the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist. This conventional arrangement of these three figures is known as the Deesis, and often appears in the art of Byzantium. Christ’s twelve apostles appear in pairs on either side of the casket. Some of them gesture as if speaking, while others hold scrolls or books.

This casket is related to the style of ivory carving in tenth-century Constantinople, and demonstrates different carving techniques. The lid’s execution is sketchy but precise, while on the sides, the faces of the apostles have more texture and detail.

The casket’s construction is unusually luxurious. It is made of solid pieces of ivory mitered and dovetailed at the corners. Most other caskets are made of thin sheets of ivory or less expensive bone, which are mounted on a wooden core.