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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1992.256.96
Title
Lion Head Seal
Classification
Seals
Work Type
seal
Date
n.d.
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World
Culture
Unidentified culture
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/304544

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Leaded bronze
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
2.5 x 1 x 2 cm (1 x 3/8 x 13/16 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze:
Cu, 71.06; Sn, 24.85; Pb, 3.59; Zn, 0.01; Fe, 0.08; Ni, 0.03; Ag, 0.03; Sb, less than 0.02; As, 0.33; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.03; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer

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

Technical Observations: The patina is a smooth black and green, with some pits of red and green corrosion. Tan burial deposits are also present. The object is intact and was cast solid by the lost-wax process with the sculpting done in wax model.


Carol Snow (submitted 2002)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Louise M. and George E. Bates, Camden, ME (by 1971-1992), gift; to the Harvard University Art Museums, 1992.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Louise M. and George E. Bates
Accession Year
1992
Object Number
1992.256.96
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 molded head of a lion, with open mouth, tops what appears to be a seal. The lion has curved ears, a furrowed brow, round cheeks, and a large nose; its canine teeth are prominent. Its body consists of a loop with a stamp portion. It is solid below the neck, which is somewhat evocative of the torso of a lion. The back ends with a horizontal band above a flaring section, decorated with vertical ridges. The bottom of this flaring section is slightly concave and may be the stamp, which is now too worn to discern any design. The loop curves smoothly out from the neck down to the flaring section.

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