Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Bronze:
Cu, 88.19; Sn, 10.7; Pb, 0.97; Zn, 0.008; Fe, 0.04; Ni, 0.05; Ag, 0.05; Sb, less than 0.05; As, less than 0.10; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, less than 0.01; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer
Technical Observations: The fulcrum was cast in one piece by the lost-wax process, possibly from a mold, and all elements are hollow. The side walls of the fulcrum are of relatively even thickness, which suggests that they would have been applied as sheets of wax, perhaps directly over a preformed core. The inner surface reveals that the background of most of the fulcrum was also flat initially and that additional elements were added to this. The contours of the inner surface do not strictly conform to those of the outer surface, suggesting that many of the decorative elements were modeled directly onto the basic shape in the wax. The additional stepped decorative bands would have been added over the background. The distinct lip between the horse’s neck and the background suggests that the horse element was produced separately in wax and added to the wax fulcrum model.
The modeling and finishing was delicate and detailed. The horse’s individual teeth are delineated. Striations from finishing the piece after casting are visible in the outer grooves. The surface of the piece has, however, been altered overall by corrosion postules, perhaps malachite, some of which were removed during post-excavation cleaning, revealing pits of mineralized metal that are mostly cuprite. Due to the condition of the surface, it is impossible to detect tool marks and to make out some of the finer details, such as the nature of the decoration on the rim of the medallion or the object below the reclining figure. There are some losses due to corrosion, such as the tip of the horse’s proper left ear, the noses of both the female figures, and part of the back edge of the lower wall.
The overall patina is reddish brown with spots and postules of green. The tan material on the surface is a combination of burial material and wax; the surface must have been waxed during restoration. Traces of gold can be found in many areas of the outer surface, including on the figures and the background elements, which is evidence that the entire fulcrum would have been gilded. The inner surface preserves grayish-white and reddish-brown remains of core material. The horse’s head is filled with the terracotta-colored clay.
At least three nails were used to attach the fulcrum to the sofa. The rusty lumps of two iron nails can be found near the inner rim of the wall behind the reclining figure and in the wall behind the horse’s mane. Traces of a third nail can be found in the wall above the medallion with the bust. No organic remains or pseudomorphs from the couch to which this fulcrum attachment originally belonged are preserved on the fulcrum.
Tracy Richardson and Francesca G. Bewer (submitted 1999, updated 2011)
