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Ivories of the So-Called Grado Chair: Saint Mark Preaching

7th–8th century

Not on view

The ivories from the So-called Grado Chair depict Saint Mark as founder and first bishop of the church of Alexandria. The mixture of Byzantine and Islamic elements in the decoration, especially in details of the cities, demonstrates the sophistication of ivory carvers in the eastern Mediterranean immediately before the body of the saint was transported to Venice.
On this panel, Saint Mark preaches to a crowd of people before the walls of a city, possibly in North Africa or Aquileia in Italy.

Ivories of the So-Called Grado Chair: Saint Mark Preaching, Ivory — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Ivories of the So-Called Grado Chair: Saint Mark Preaching

Date: 7th–8th century

Geography: Made in Eastern Mediterranean or Egypt

Medium: Ivory

Dimensions: 7 7/16 x 4 1/8 x 3/8 in. (18.9 x 10.5 x 1 cm)

Classification: Ivories

Credit Line: Civiche Raccolte d’Arte Applicata—Castello Sforzesco, Milan (avori n. 2)

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Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Met

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance.