Diptych of the Lampadii

The Diptych of the Lampadii is a captivating artifact from the early 5th century AD. This ivory diptych, measuring 27x9x2 cm, has unfortunately only retained its left panel over the centuries. You can admire this exceptional piece at the Museo di Santa Giulia in Brescia.

The diptych boasts an intriguing provenance. It entered the collection of Cardinal Angelo Maria Quirini in the 18th century and was subsequently donated to the Museo dell'Era Cristiana in the 19th century.

Created to commemorate a significant event in the life of a member of the Lampadii family, this diptych likely celebrated an appointment to the consulship, a common theme for such items. However, the precise identity of the individual it honors remains unknown.

The surviving panel depicts a senator, presumably Lampadius, holding a scepter and a white cloth, flanked by two other figures who may represent his sons. All three are enclosed within an intricately decorated frame. Below this tableau, a stylized depiction of a circus racetrack features quadrigae (four-horse chariots) and an obelisk, evoking the grandeur of the Circus Maximus in Rome.

The artwork is remarkable, especially considering the meticulous detail the artist achieved in such a confined space. Since 1998, this diptych has been meticulously preserved and displayed at the Museo di Santa Giulia, where visitors can fully appreciate its historical and artistic significance.