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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1980.18
Title
Olpe with Handle Ending in a Human Head
Classification
Vessels
Work Type
vessel
Date
1st-2nd century CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World
Period
Roman Imperial period
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/304152

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Leaded bronze
Technique
Cast and hammered
Dimensions
17.3 cm (6 13/16 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze:
Cu, 72.13; Sn, 6.75; Pb, 20.88; Zn, 0.007; Fe, 0.1; Ni, 0.02; Ag, 0.03; Sb, 0.09; 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

Chemical Composition: XRF data from Tracer
Alloy: Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin
Other Elements: lead, iron, silver, antimony, arsenic
K. Eremin, January 2014

Technical Observations: The surface is metallic brown and has been stripped of corrosion. There are deformations, cracks, and what appear to be ancient lead repairs. A portion of the handle at the rim is missing.

The bottom of the olpe is a separate piece formed by hammering. The body of the olpe was also formed by hammering, and the rim was finished by turning on a lathe. The handle was cast separately, probably by the lost-wax process. The surface details may have been engraved, but it is difficult to determine due to the etched and pitted appearance of the cast metal. The three sections—bottom, body, and handle—were soldered together. Lead solder was also used to repair tears in the metal.


Carol Snow (submitted 2002)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Nanette B. Rodney
Accession Year
1980
Object Number
1980.18
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
The round-mouthed vessel has a flat horizontal lip (0.96 cm wide), with two raised concentric circles decorating the outer edge and a thin, incised concentric circle near the inner lip. The body of the vessel is piriform. The separately attached base has slightly curving sides. The bottom of the base is beveled, and there is a small, circular depression in the center.

The handle attached to the flat lip of the vessel with two curving arms; one is missing. The top of the handle is a simple knob. Two volutes appear on either side of the attachment plate, which is in the shape of a theater mask. The mask wears a wig with waves on the top and a straight section on the bottom. The face is broad, with deep-set eyes. The nose is broad and flattened, possibly worn away, above the line of the mouth (1).

NOTES:

1. Compare J. W. Hayes, Greek, Roman, and Related Metalware in the Royal Ontario Museum: A Catalogue (Toronto, 1984) 78-79, no. 81; S. Tassinari, Il vasellame bronzo di Pompei, Ministero per i beni culturali ed ambientali, Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei 5 (Rome, 1993) 31-34 (Type B1241), pl. 151.4; A. Giumlia-Mair, “Analytical and Technical Studies on Vessels from Late Antique Well Hoards in the South-Eastern Po Plain,” in The Antique Bronzes: Typology, Chronology, Authenticity. The Acta of the 16th International Congress of Antique Bronzes, Organised by The Romanian National History Museum, Bucharest, May 26th-31st, 2003, ed. C. Muşeţeanu (Bucharest, 2004) 187-98, esp. 189-90, fig. 5; and P. M. Allison, The Insula of the Menander at Pompeii 3: The Finds (Oxford, 2006) 93, no. 443, pl. 31 (silver).

Lisa M. Anderson

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 3620 University Study Gallery, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/20/2024 - 05/05/2024

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