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Monumental sculpture did not exist in the Byzantine culture, but small architectural sculptures decorated the interiors of the churches. Most were either destroyed or lost during the Crusades as they were carried back to Central Europe. Small Ivory panels were also carved. The Archangel Michael is part of a diptych hinged together.
The drapery and the style of the figure is an excellent example of the Classical Period of Greece combined with Christian ideas and needs. Dating from the 5 th to 6 th century most flat plaques were used as diptych, book covers. Diptych or two panel ivories seem to have a popular impact on the wealthy during this time. They usually illustrated religious examples or Byzantine ideas of hierarchy.
The most know to this date is the Barberini ivory; which is located in the Louvre. Around the mid-late 6 th century ivories became very rare, only few were dated or found after the 6 th century. The origin of the Archangel Michael diptych is unknown. This ivory panel consists of two pieces, but unfortunately the second part of the diptych is seemed to be lost. One can look at the ivory sculpture and examine on the left side that there are three minor wholes that can pertain to the lost panel of the diptych. Throughout the years we came to understand that this diptych was a book cover a book cover that illustrated the simplistic ways of the medieval style.
Further detailing this delicate piece of art one can observe the ties between the Greek and the Byzantine art. For example a major detail that ties this to the Greeks is the drapery style robe. The stylish robe can be seen detailing and focusing on the shape and form of Archangel Michael. Another tie with the Greek arts is the minor emphasis one the figures posture and stance. One can understand the sculpture is from Byzantine times because of the slight error in perspective and facial detail. Although this sculpture being so small has a great amount of detail that makes this sculpture stand out.
Comparing it to other ivories the Borradaile triptych has come to become a worldly known piece. These being found in the 10 th century coming from Constantinople is a very rare piece. This triptych was named after the Charles Borradaile who purchased it in 1905 / 6 then bequeathed to the British museum. When this piece is side by side of Archangel Michael one can notice the religious detail and Byzantine influences. The figures face and body, very well preserved, have a slight error in perspective. Now tapping into the Greek influence the drapery once again plays a part of molding the body and showing the viewer the type of royalty or importance it has on that particular civilization
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Research essay sample on Michael The Archangel Ivory Diptych
