The cathedral of Magdeburg—some eighty miles west of present-day Berlin—was dedicated in the year 968. The new cathedral was established as an important mission center by Emperor Otto the Great. Many of its magnificent furnishings came from North Italy, probably including this ivory.

On this superb panel, Otto presents a symbolic model of the Church to Christ for his blessing. As a humble servant he is depicted smaller than the company of patron saints. Saint Peter appears to the right, with both the heavenly and earthly keys to the Christian Church. The military Saint Mauritius, patron saint of the Ottonian Empire and of Magdeburg, is shown behind Otto, presenting him to Christ. Both the overall subject of the scene and the distinctive wreath form of Christ’s throne are a visual reference to the Biblical passage from Isaiah 66:1: “Heaven is my throne and the earth my footstool; what is the house which you would build for me?”