Fragment of a book cover
A fragment measuring just 5x5cm, which was added to a book cover of of a western evangeliar preserved in the state library of Berlin, is an eloquent testimonial to value of the Byzantine ivories in the West. The fragment shows the Presentation in the Temple and, to be more precise, in a picture outline which is known to the Occident and might have promoted the admission of the small ivory from 11th century into a new context. One sees Mary handing over her child to Simeon near an altar. Her eyes are not on her child but rest imploringly on Joseph who stands behind her, and a look passes between them. In contrast, Simeon and Hannah focus their attention on the hoped-for child. This is not so much a picture of the delivery of the holy firstborn to its duty and the release from this duty as it is prescribed by Jewish law. The primary interest is rather to present a meeting of Hannah and Simeon with the child, whom they recognize as God’s Saviour and Redeemer.