1932.56.22: Leech Fibula
JewelryThis is a croissant shaped piece of metal that is mottled dark brown and patina green on the surface. There are decorative bands that extend from the center of the shape out towards the termini. The terminus on the right side has a triangular, fish tail, shaped protrusion. The terminus on the left side curls around on itself to create a loop.
Identification and Creation
- Object Number
- 1932.56.22
- Title
- Leech Fibula
- Classification
- Jewelry
- Work Type
- fibula, pin
- Date
- late 8th century BCE
- Places
- Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, North Central Italy
- Period
- Orientalizing period
- Culture
- Italic
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/303980
Physical Descriptions
- Medium
- Leaded bronze
- Technique
- Cast, lost-wax process
- Dimensions
- 4.3 x 9.3 cm (1 11/16 x 3 11/16 in.)
- Technical Details
-
Chemical Composition: XRF data from Tracer
Alloy: Leaded Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin, lead
Other Elements: zinc, iron, nickel, silver, antimony, arsenic
K. Eremin, January 2014Chemical Composition: EMP analysis from sample, Bronze:
Cu, 87.15; Sn, 11.25; Pb, 0.45; Zn, 0.10; Fe, 0.02; Ni, 0.05; Ag, 0.09; Sb, 0.23; As, 0.23
J. Wolfe, June 1998Technical Observations: The patina features variegated greens interspersed with red and black corrosion. The pin is broken off at the spring and lost. The bow was cast and sealed closed. A black patch on the inside surface may be a plug. The core material and core pins seem to be preserved in the interior and are visible in the x-radiographs. The surface decoration appears to have been done on the wax model prior to casting, with some finishing after casting.
Carol Snow (submitted 2002)
Provenance
- Recorded Ownership History
- Dr. Harris Kennedy, Milton, MA (by 1932), gift; to the William Hayes Fogg Art Museum, 1932.
Acquisition and Rights
- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Dr. Harris Kennedy, Class of 1894
- Accession Year
- 1932
- Object Number
- 1932.56.22
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
- Permissions
-
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Descriptions
Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
The hollow bow of this leech fibula is decorated with alternating bands of herringbone pattern and undecorated bands (1). The plain bands are lower on the surface than the herringbone bands, which are at the same level as the terminals of the bow, indicating that the plain bands were cut down, probably in the wax model. The catchplate is a simple shape that has been hammered and folded. The spring has two coils; the pin is lost.
NOTES:
1. Compare H. Donder, Die Fibeln, Katalog der Sammlung antiker Kleinkunst des Archäologischen Instituts der Universität Heidelberg 3.2 (Mainz, 1994) 43-49, nos. 22-23, pl. 4; A. Naso, I bronzi etruschi e italici del Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Kataloge vor- und frühgeschichtlicher Altertümer 33 (Mainz, 2003) 240-41, nos. 423-24, figs. 135-36; J. M. Turfa, Catalogue of the Etruscan Gallery of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (Philadelphia, 2005) 94, no. 19; and A. M. Bietti Sestieri and E. Macnamara, Prehistoric Metal Artefacts from Italy (3500-720 BC) in the British Museum (London, 2007) 17 and 188 (fibula type 23), no. 565, pl. 125.
Lisa M. Anderson
Exhibition History
- 32Q: 2540 Renaissance, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 07/18/2018 - 11/15/2018
Subjects and Contexts
- Ancient Bronzes
Related Objects
Verification Level
This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu