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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1960.629
Title
Ring with Monkey's Head
Classification
Jewelry
Work Type
ring
Date
8th century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Rhodes
Period
Geometric period
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/304000

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Mixed copper alloy
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
h. 2.9 x diam. 2.1 x w. (of head) 1 x w. (of band) 0.3 cm (1 1/8 x 13/16 x 3/8 x 1/8 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: XRF data from Tracer
Alloy: Mixed Copper Alloy
Alloying Elements: copper, tin, lead, zinc
Other Elements: iron
K. Eremin, January 2014

Technical Observations: The ring was cast solid in one piece. It is not entirely clear what method of casting was used, although it was probably lost-wax. The features of the monkey’s face could have been punched or cut into the wax or the metal. The eye sockets preserve reddish clay-like remains. The hoop is slightly faceted. The patina is brown, cupritic red, and green.


Francesca G. Bewer (submitted 2012)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
David M. Robinson, Baltimore, MD, (by 1949), bequest; to Fogg Art Museum, 1960.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of David M. Robinson
Accession Year
1960
Object Number
1960.629
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 thin, circular finger ring is cast in one piece, with a cartoonish head of a monkey or ape projecting from one point. It has a horizontally incised mouth beneath its prominent triangular nose. Two shallow incised grooves run from the front to the back of the top of the head. Small tabs that project to either side of the prominent ears may represent the ends of hair tufts. These occur above an incised horizontal line that runs around the back of the head. Closely set deep circular pits represent the eyes.

While such schematic representations of animals could have been created over many centuries, the hollow pits for eyes recalls similar hollow eyes on Peloponnesian Geometric bronze figures of animals and humans created during the second half of the eighth century BCE (1). However, H.-G. Buchholz thought that this ring was Roman in date (2). Until further parallels come to light, however, such an attribution for this object must remain provisional.

NOTES:

1. Compare S. Langdon, ed., From Pasture to Polis: Art in the Age of Homer, exh. cat., Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri-Columbia; University Art Museum, University of California, Berkeley; Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Harvard University Art Museums (Columbia, MO, 1993) 142-44, no. 47.

2. Pers. comm., Nov. 8, 1979.


David G. Mitten

Publication History

  • David Moore Robinson, "The Robinson Collection of Greek Gems, Seals, Rings, and Earrings", Hesperia Supplements (1949), Vol. 8, 305-323, 475-480, p. 311, no. 10, pl. 40.10.
  • Fogg Art Museum, The David Moore Robinson Bequest of Classical Art and Antiquities, A Special Exhibition, exh. cat., Harvard University (Cambridge, MA, 1961), p. 42, no. 377

Exhibition History

  • The David Moore Robinson Bequest of Classical Art and Antiquities: A Special Exhibition, Fogg Art Museum, 05/01/1961 - 09/20/1961

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