1. Magdeburg Ivories 962-968 What scripture is to the educated, images are to the ignorant.
–Pope Gregory
For the decoration of the Magdeburg Cathedral, Otto the Great had a group of ivory plaques made in Milan.
They were all once part of the same object - either an antependium, a bishop's throne, or a pulpit - that Otto donated for the newly built cathedral.
It is likely that the occasion of the donation was the raising of Magdeburg to an archbishopric in 968.
They are wonderful to look at, because they are intended to instruct, report, and remind the viewer of key events or lessons from the New Testament.
These ivories are also used by Otto the Great as a way to authorize his power as Christ’s secular representative.

2. Otto I Presenting Magdeburg Cathedral to Christ from Magdeburg Ivories 962-968

3. Peter Finding the Tribute Money in a Fish from Magdeburg Ivories 962-968
This image is often read by rulers as a biblical justification for taxing the citizenery.
Matthew 17:24-27
The Temple Tax
24After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
25“Yes, he does,” he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?”
26“From others,” Peter answered.
“Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27“But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

4. Raising of Lazarus from Magdeburg Ivories 962-968

5. The Resurrection of the Youth from Naim from Magdeburg Ivories 962-968
Luke 7:11-17
[11] Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. [12] As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out -- the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. [13] When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."
[14] Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" [15] The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
[16] They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." [17] This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

6. Healing of the Man Possessed by Demons from Magdeburg Ivories 962-968

7. Multiplication of the Loaves from Magdeburg Ivories 962-968

8. Christ Among the Apostles with Doubting Thomas from Magdeburg Ivories 962-968
John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
The term is based on the Biblical account of Thomas the Apostle, a disciple of Jesus who doubted Jesus' resurrection and demanded to feel Jesus' wounds before being convinced (John 20:24-29), although the Bible does not mention if actual contact took place. After seeing Jesus alive and being offered the opportunity to touch his wounds, according to the author of the Gospel of John, Thomas then professed his faith in Jesus.

9. Christ with the Apostles and a Child from Magdeburg Ivories 962-968
Matthew 19:14: Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."