2012.1.116: Polished Bone Stylus
Tools and Equipment
This object does not yet have a description.
Identification and Creation
- Object Number
- 2012.1.116
- Title
- Polished Bone Stylus
- Classification
- Tools and Equipment
- Work Type
- stylus
- Date
- 4th-5th century CE
- Period
- Byzantine period
- Culture
- Coptic
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/191533
Physical Descriptions
- Medium
- Bone
- Technique
- Carved
- Dimensions
- 13.7 and 17.9 cm (7 1/16 in.)
Provenance
- Recorded Ownership History
- [C. Dikran Kelekian, Ancient Arts, New York, 1983] sold; to The Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University (1983-2012), transfer; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2012.
Acquisition and Rights
- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University
- Accession Year
- 2012
- Object Number
- 2012.1.116
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
- Permissions
-
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Descriptions
- Description
- Cylindrical bone stylus; one end is pointed, the other rounded, with carved torus decoration in relief on the stylus shaft.
- Commentary
- A stylus of this type would have been used to write on a Roman tablet; tablets were made of wood and a surface was covered in wax. The wax surface made the tablet reusable, and the rounded end of the stylus could be used for "erasing" text.
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