Where was this produced?
Ivory was a treasured material of the ancient and medieval civilizations of the Mediterranean, and its popularity continued in Roman art and in the art of Byzantium. From these civilizations, medieval Italians inherited a love for the material and the skills for carving it. Ivory rose in high popularity and demand throughout the Middle Ages for its creamy color and malleable texture. In order to be produced, elephant ivory would be imported from Africa as a deluxe material for clients, whether ecclesiastical or secular.