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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2023.501.49
Title
Finial with Two Heraldic Lions in Three Fragments (on a Modern Tube)
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
sculpture
Date
10th-8th century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Luristan (Iran)
Find Spot: Middle East, Iran, Western Iran
Period
Iron Age
Culture
Iranian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/293529

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Bronze
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
14.1 x 5.7 x 1.9 cm (5 9/16 x 2 1/4 x 3/4 in.)
Inner diam. ring top and bottom: 0.9 cm (3/8 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Bronze:
Point 1 (neck): Cu, 92.54; Sn, 7.27; Pb, 0.1; Zn, 0.01; Fe, 0.02; Ni, 0.03; Ag, 0.02; Sb, less than 0.05; As, less than 0.10; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.012; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001

Point 2 (tail): Cu, 91.98; Sn, 7.68; Pb, 0.12; Zn, 0.07; Fe, 0.04; Ni, 0.03; Ag, 0.02; Sb, 0.05; As, less than 0.10; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.012; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001

J. Riederer

Technical Observations: The patina is varied green with spots of red. Brown burial accretions are present. The central securing pin is missing. The felines are broken at several points and repaired with resins. Many areas are pitted from corrosion.

As with the other Luristan finials, the irregular and fluid character of the design elements indicates direct work in the wax model. The wax would have been worked over a central cylindrical core, providing an open area for the tube or pin used to secure the finial to a support (see 2005.78.A-C). The condition of the surface makes it impossible to determine if details have been enhanced with cold work.


Henry Lie (submitted 2012)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Kurt H. Weil, Montclair, NJ (1927-1992), by descent; to Kathleen Weil-Garris Brandt, New York (1992-2023), gift; to the Harvard Art Museums.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Professor Kathleen Weil-Garris Brandt
Accession Year
2023
Object Number
2023.501.49
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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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