The Salerno Ivories: Objects, Histories, Contexts

The so-called Salerno ivories comprise more than sixty carved plaques datable between eleventh and the twelfth centuries, combining Islamic, Byzantine, Coptic, and western Christian features. They present superb craftsmanship, display numerous biblical scenes as well as portraits of saints and magnificent decorative ornaments. Forming in medieval times as well as today one of the most precious and impressive treasures of the cathedral of Salerno, they have attracted the attention of many historians and art historians, who have tried to contextualize them in the medieval history of Salerno, southern Italy and the Mediterranean. Yet, they remain enigmatic. Many questions remain concerning their date, place of production, patronage, function and possible audience. This volume brings together articles written by scholars with different backgrounds and perspectives on medieval art. It presents the Salerno Ivories in an interdisciplinary approach and sheds new light on the many unsolved queries about production techniques, specific iconographies, function and reception in the Norman cathedral of Salerno, and the ensemble’s important position in mirroring the visual culture of the ‘Mediterranean’ at the age of intense commercialism and cultural exchange.