The Redeemer with the Virgin, Saint Maurice and Otto the emperor

In the centre of the panel is the Redeemer enthroned, holding an open book in his left hand. Beside and above him fly two angels with veiled hands. Standing on the right is the Virgin and on the left St. Maurice. Kneeling on the left is a sovereign in the typical attitude of proskinesis, that is, the reverent kiss of the sovereign's foot, and on the right, a queen holding a child, also crowned.
An inscription along the bottom, in regular, careful lettering, identifies the sovereign as ‘OTTO IMPERATOR’. Another three inscriptions in similar characters, but less precise, having been carved on the sloping sides of the frame, identify other characters (‘IHS XPS’ along the top; ‘SCS MAURITIUS’ vertical, right; ‘SCA MARIA’ vertical, left). The inscription ‘Otto imperator’ links the panel to one of the three German emperors of this name. The presence of the child restricts the field to Otto I and Otto II, as Otto III died childless, aged 22. Studies agree that the sovereign is Otto II, based on historical and artistic elements.
The use of ivory was common for these small, very precious objects, destined for a high-ranking clientele. The panel could be mounted on another object, for example in the centre of the cover of an illuminated book, made with noble metals and precious stones.