1968.91: Bow Fibula, Reels on Bow

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1968.91

Title

Bow Fibula, Reels on Bow

Classification

Jewelry

Work Type

fibula, pin

Date

6th century BCE

Places

Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia

Period

Archaic period

Culture

Greek

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/304115

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Fibula: Bronze; Pin: Iron

Technique

Cast, lost-wax process

Dimensions

3.1 x 3.7 x 1.2 cm (1 1/4 x 1 7/16 x 1/2 in.)

Technical Details

Chemical Composition: Fibula
XRF data from Artax 1
Alloy: Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin
Other Elements: lead, zinc, iron, nickel?, arsenic

Pin
XRF data from Artax 1
Alloy: Iron
Alloying Elements: iron

K. Eremin, January 2014

Technical Observations: The patina is green, black, and red, with light gray accretions. The surface is well preserved in many areas. The original pin is lost, and the current pin is a steel replacement set into the hole in the bow for the original pin. The corrosion has been worn through to the metal at the high points.

There is some irregularity in the modeling of the bow and catchplate, and they were probably cast from a model made directly in wax. The curve of the catchplate appears to have been refined by cold working.


Henry Lie (submitted 2012)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History

Richard R. Wagner, gift; to the Fogg Museum, 1968.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Richard R. Wagner

Accession Year

1968

Object Number

1968.91

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Subjects and Contexts

• Ancient Bronzes

Verification Level