Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Mixed Copper Alloy:
Point 1: Cu, 77.13; Sn, 6.02; Pb, 9.59; Zn, 6.63; Fe, 0.25; Ni, 0.03; Ag, 0.06; Sb, 0.15; As, 0.14; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.006; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
Point 2 (base): Cu, 80.25; Sn, 4.28; Pb, 6.89; Zn, 7.99; Fe, 0.29; Ni, 0.03; Ag, 0.05; Sb, 0.11; As, 0.11; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, less than 0.005; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer
Technical Observations: The patina is dark green with areas of exposed red and small spots of modern black sulfides. The object suffered several ancient losses, including a pendant leaf from the base, three leaves from the trunk, the tips of the two extant leaves, two of the three prongs where the base meets the trunk, and the attachment at top of trunk for holding a lamp. The lowest projection on the trunk appears to be a bud rather than the remains of a broken leaf. Distortions to the base and the angles of its feet may be original rather than the result of damage. Two indentations near the top of the trunk have shattered the patina there and appear to be modern.
The trunk is joined to the base with a modern screw. The holes for this join are modern or reworked, and no solder residue is visible. The original means of attachment between the trunk and the base is therefore unclear. The patinas of both elements are a very good match, so it is likely that the two parts belonged together in antiquity. They were both cast using the lost-wax process. The incised lines on the feet were probably made in the wax model, but the crisp indentations in the pendant leaves were stamped into the cast metal. The peened stud on the top of the trunk once secured an attachment, which must have assisted in holding a lamp. A small amount of lead residue is also present on top of the stud, which may have assisted in securing the attachment.
Henry Lie (submitted 2002)
