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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1969.177.26
Title
Vase
Other Titles
Alternate Title: Roman? vase
Classification
Vessels
Work Type
vessel
Date
n.d.
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa, Egypt (Ancient)
Culture
Unidentified culture
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/304248

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Mixed copper alloy
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
11.9 x 4.9 cm (4 11/16 x 1 15/16 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Mixed Copper Alloy:
Cu, 73.18; Sn, 3.52; Pb, 14.89; Zn, 7.57; Fe, 0.33; Ni, 0.07; Ag, 0.14; Sb, 0.09; As, 0.18; Bi, 0.028; Co, less than 0.005; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer

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 patina is green with brown accretions. Green corrosion products and brown burial accretions obscure the surface. The neck is cracked, and there are some losses. Smaller holes in the lower sections are also the result of corrosion.

The vase appears to have been cast. The three irregular projections on the base, which serve as feet, are integral with the rest of the casting. The main shape of the body is octagonal. The beaded rim is also cast, but it may have been reinforced with cold-work punch marks. Iron corrosion products on the hinge indicate an iron pin was used at this location.


Henry Lie (submitted 2001)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Harry J. Denberg, New York, NY (by 1969), gift; to the Fogg Art Museum, 1969.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Harry J. Denberg
Accession Year
1969
Object Number
1969.177.26
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 irregular vessel may be a pastiche made up of at least three different parts. The body has a slightly geometrical shape with some faceting, while the shoulder and neck above the join are cylindrical and taper toward the mouth. The topmost element has a wider circumference than the middle element, and the join is particularly obvious there. The lip is flat and flaring, with a beaded border. Two loops project from one side of the lip, indicating where a lid would have hinged on. The bottom of the vessel is flat except for three raised projections.

Lisa M. Anderson

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