1995.38: Fragment Representing a Lion or Dog Attacking a Deer

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1995.38

Title

Fragment Representing a Lion or Dog Attacking a Deer

Classification

Sculpture

Work Type

relief, sculpture

Date

4th century BCE

Places

Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World

Period

Classical period, Late, to Early Hellenistic

Culture

Greek

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/300004

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Leaded bronze

Technique

Repoussé

Dimensions

7.1 x 9.8 cm (2 13/16 x 3 7/8 in.)

Technical Details

Chemical Composition: XRF data from Tracer
Alloy: Leaded Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin, lead
Other Elements: iron, arsenic
K. Eremin, January 2014

Technical Observations: The patina is olive green. A continuous black line of copper sulfide resulting from post-excavation storage conditions has developed along the broken bottom edge of the fragment.

This object is a fragment of a very fine-walled relief, which is heavily mineralized and corroded. It has been repaired with tinted light olive green resin. It is difficult to say much about its method of production, whether it was cast or is repoussé, because it is attached to a stone mount. Some of the exquisitely detailed modeling and chasing of the lion’s fur is still detectable amid the very disrupted, bumpy surface—especially in the mane and underside of the foreleg.


Francesca G. Bewer (submitted 2012)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History

From the collection of Charles Dikran Kelekian, who had owned it since Oct. 1948.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Nanette B. Rodney

Accession Year

1995

Object Number

1995.38

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

A lion attacks a deer on this thin repoussé plaque. The lion, shown in profile to the left, has jumped onto the back of the deer and is biting its left shoulder. The lion’s limbs are rendered in high relief. The animal arches its back to bring its mouth down to the deer; the muscles on the top of the head and one ear are indicated, and the mane is rendered in wavy locks. The left forelimb is extended, while the left hind limb is crouched, and separate toes are indicated on each visible paw; part of the tail is visible under the hindquarters.

Subjects and Contexts

• Ancient Bronzes

Verification Level