Four objects accompany the Ark. In front of it, between the badim, the jar of manna, of clay, and the staff of Aharon with its almonds and blossoms. Beside it, to the north, the chest that the Philistines sent back with it. The flask of anointing oil stands in front of it as well.
Sources
Project decisionAdopted: in front of the Ark, only the manna and the staff (Rambam, Beit HaBechirah 4:1); the manna jar of clay, “צְלוֹחִית שֶׁל חֶרֶס” (Rashi on Exodus 16:33); the chest “beside” it (I Samuel 6:8; Bava Batra 14a). Tour's choice: the manna and the staff between the badim, the very place where the machta is set down (Yoma 5:1) — the Rambam only says “וּלְפָנָיו”; the place of the oil flask, which the sources only say was hidden with the Ark (Yoma 52b; Horayot 12a); and the north side for the chest. The Ark stays closed; neither the Tablets nor the Sefer Torah are visible. Set aside: the Sefer Torah placed beside the Ark, on the Philistines' chest or on a board, according to R. Yehuda (Bava Batra 14b).