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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2023.501.19
Title
Arrowhead
Classification
Weapons and Ammunition
Work Type
arrowhead
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/303860

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Bronze
Technique
Cast and hammered
Dimensions
12 x 2 cm (4 3/4 x 13/16 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: XRF data from Tracer
Alloy: Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin
Other Elements: lead, iron, silver

K. Eremin, January 2014

Technical Observations: The patina is a mottled matte green, smooth dark brown, and light grayish green. Tan and reddish earthen burial accretions adhere to parts of the surface, as do some corrosion products.

The object was cast in one piece and finished in the metal. The exact shape of the original model is unclear, but the thin blade sections would have been finished by hammering, which would have enhanced the ridge in the middle and also hardened the edges. The tang preserves fine file marks on its facets. One of the blade edges is very slightly damaged, probably due to mineralization.


Francesca G. Bewer (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
2023.501.19
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
This arrowhead has curving edges that end in bars near the tang (1). The arrowhead has a rounded midrib from tip to tang; the 5-cm tang becomes quadrangular in section, tapering to a point.

NOTES:

1. Compare E. De Waele, Bronzes du Luristan et d’Amlash: Ancienne collection Godard, Publications d’histoire de l’art et d’archéologie de l’Université Catholique de Louvain 34 (Louvain-la-Neuve, 1982) 58-59, nos. 58-61, fig. 42; and Musées Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire, Brussels, inv. no. IR.2617 (from Khurvin, Iran).

Lisa M. Anderson

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Bronzes

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