The central panel and the figures below.
In the centre is the throne ready and waiting for the second coming, between two cherubim and two archangels. The book by which humanity is to be judged waits on the throne below the dove of the Trinity.
The four evangelists
The four evangelists that surround Christ are fairly easy to identify. From the left below they are Mark, John, Matthew and Luke.
Christ Pantocrator
This is perhaps the most beautiful image on the Pala. The sacred words that Christ is holding are represented by jewels, showing their value.
Scholars have agonised over this panel at length. In the centre stands the Virgin Mary. On the left side is Doge Ordelafo Falier, on the right side Empress Irene of Constantinople.
The image of the Doge has what appears to be a rather small head, and it is suggested that the original head was removed and this one inserted. The obvious conclusion is that, originally, this figure was the emperor of Constantinople, matching the empress on the other side. They would appear as donors.
The problem with Irene is that is seems to have been a rather popular name for Constantinople's empresses. One of the Irenes was a founder of the monastery from which the panel was stolen, and so perhaps the best choice. Other Irenes have been suggested.
The pairing of emperor and empress seems a good idea, but another scholar disagrees: the costume of the left hand figure does not match what an emperor would be shown wearing. To be flippant, the Virgin Mary seems to be shrugging her shoulders, as if to say 'I don't know who they are either'.
On either side of the lower panel is this almost unreadable Latin text giving details of the commissioning of the pala, by Doge Falier (left side) and Doge Dandalo (right hand side).
