Full of twisting, looped, and repeating forms, this relief displays an elaborately carved cross and a rosette. The carving varies considerably in depth, which lends greater interest to the object. The patterns are typical of Italian ornamental reliefs of the ninth and tenth centuries, while the distinctive chain motif is closely related to altar frontals made in or around Rome.

The design is organized around two large circles formed by twisted bands with looped corners. This relief, which originally had ornamental borders on all sides or a base, probably formed an altar frontal. A slab of similar design is in the Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.

Source: Giovanna De Appolonia, "Altar Frontal Relief," in Eye of the Beholder, edited by Alan Chong, et al. (Boston: ISGM and Beacon Press, 2003): 18.

Purchased in 1899 from Francesco Dorigo, Venice