The Old Testament Ivory Carvings. Amalfi XII Century
A fascinating and enigmatic collection of ivory carvings.
The Salerno Ivories are a collection of 11th or 12th-century Biblical ivory plaques that showcase a blend of Early Christian, Byzantine, Islamic, Western Romanesque, and Anglo-Saxon art styles.
As the most extensive unified set of ivory carvings from the pre-Gothic Middle Ages, they depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments. They are primarily housed in the Diocesan Museum of the Cathedral of Salerno, Italy. Their origins remain a mystery, likely linked to the powerful and flourishing Maritime Republic of Amalfi; yet, they stay unappreciated. At the time of the shooting, the museum was averaging only three visitors per day.
This first story showcases all the plaques of the Old Testament kept at the museum. The following story will showcase the full collection of the New Testament.
All the plaques on this page: Old Testament Ivory Carving. Amalfi School, late 11th – early 12th century. Housed at Museo Diocesano San Matteo in Salerno.
Left: The Spirit of God creates the Waters and separates the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:2
Right: creation of the Angels. Cm 10,2x 22. The Old Testament doesn’t explicitly state when angels were created. However, it’s generally understood that they were created before the earth, likely during the first day of creation when God made the heavens.
Left: Creation of vegetation and fruit trees. Genesis 1:11 / 1:12.
Right: Creation of the sun, the moon and the stars. Genesis 1:14 / 1:19.
Cm 10,2x 22.
Left: Creation of Eve. Genesis 2:21 / 2:23.
Right: Temptation and Original Sin. Genesis 3:6 / 3:7 / 1:19.
Cm 10,2x 22.
Left: Expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:23.
Right: Men destined to live by cultivating the land 3:24. Genesis 3:24
Cm 10,7×21,9.
Left: God commands Noah to build the Ark. Genesis 6:14 / 6:21
Right: Noah building the Ark. Genesis 6.22
Cm 10,1×21,9.
Left: God closes the door of the Ark. Genesis 7:13/ 7:16
Right: The Raven and the Dove. Genesis 8:6:8/17
Cm 9.9 x 22.2.
Left: Noah exits the Ark. Genesis 8:18
Right: Noah’s sacrifice. Genesis 8:19
Cm 10,3 x 21.8
Roberto Bigano, the photographer, shares his story.
All the pictures of this article were taken by Roberto Bigano, a renowned Italian photographer.
I was reading a New York Times article from a series that shared fascinating stories about Italian lifestyle, food, scenic landscapes, and art. This chapter began with a bold statement: “Today is Friday, and we’ll visit the Collection of the Salerno Ivories. They are among the world’s wonders, yet few people know about them.”
I was surprised; I had never heard of this collection, which was unusual for me since I was quite familiar with the artistic scene of Naples and its surroundings, having often worked there.
Determined to learn more, I promised myself to delve deeper into this topic. However, I didn’t have much time to explore further. A couple of hours later, my colleague from Naples called me and said, “Hi Roberto, we need to photograph the ivories of Salerno.” It felt as if our destinies were written in the stars.
Left: God Blesses Noah and His Descendants. Genesis 9:1 / 9:3.
Right: Noah the Winemaker. Genesis 9:20
Cm 10.6 x 24.1.
Left: The Drunkenness of Noah. Genesis 9:20 / 9:23.
Right: The Tower of Babel. Genesis 11:1 / 11:9.
Cm 10,5 x 24.
Left: God speaks to Abraham. Genesis 12:6 / 12:9.
Right: Pharaoh returns Sarah to Abraham. Genesis 12:14 / 12:20.
Cm 10,2x 24.2.
Left: God tells Abraham to leave Harran. Genesis 12:1 / 12:2
Right. Blessing of Abraham. Genesis 12:3 / 12:5.
Cm 10,3 x 24.1
Sacrifice of Isaac. Genesis 22:9 / 22:14
Right. Blessing of Abraham. Genesis 22.15 / 22.18.
Cm 10,2x 24.2.
Left: Jacob’s dream, also known as Jacob’s Ladder. Genesis 28:10 / 28:17
Right. Moses and the burning bush. Genesis 1:14 / 1:19.
Cm 9,6x 24.1.
Left: Miracle of the rod turning into a serpent. Exodus 4:1 / 4:4
Right. Miracle of the leprous hand. Exodus 4:6 / 4:10
Cm 9.8×24
Moses at Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:1 / 19:6
Cm 8.9×11.4
Coming soon. The New Testament Ivory Carvings. Amalfi XII Century
The next episode will feature the entire collection of the New Testament series, which includes 27 plaques illustrating 51 scenes. These plaques were created a century later and boast more intricate designs, making them even more captivating than the Old Testament series.
Stay in touch!
Copyright, Links and credits
Roberto Bigano copyrights all photographs.
LINKS:
The Old Testament Ivory Carvings. Amalfi XII Century
https://www.ikonographia.com/the-old-testament-ivory-carvings-amalfi-xii-century/
The Old and New Testament Ivory Carvings Archive
https://www.ikonographia.com/archive/the-old-and-new-testament-ivory-carvings-archive/
External links
Salerno Ivories
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salerno_Ivories
Above All, Ravello
https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/27/t-magazine/above-all-ravello.html
The Salerno ivories – re-photographed
https://www.khi.fi.it/en/aktuelles/ausstellungen/2016-06-elfenbeintafeln-salerno.php
L’enigma degli Avori medievali
https://www.editoripaparo.com/negozio/catalogo/lenigma-degli-avori-medievali/
A selection of images featuring Old and New Testament ivory carvings has been beautifully presented in the 2024 Summer Solstice edition of the iconic FMR Magazine.
The article, titled “The Greatest Story Ever Carved,” is written by Francesca Dall’Acqua, with photographs by Roberto Bigano.
This issue is available in both English and Italian.
