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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1992.256.78
Title
Seated Figure
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
sculpture, statuette
Date
14th-13th century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Anatolia
Period
Hittite Empire period
Culture
Syro-Hittite
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/310324

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Bronze
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
5.9 x 2.2 x 1.5 cm (2 5/16 x 7/8 x 9/16 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Bronze:

Cu, 94.23; Sn, 4.18; Pb, 0.56; Zn, 0.006; Fe, 0.08; Ni, 0.18; Ag, 0.06; Sb, 0.02; As, 0.67; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.018; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001

J. Riederer

Technical Observations: The statuette is a solid cast. It is intact with some modern tool marks from previous cleaning efforts. The patina is green and black over brown with tan burial deposits.


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
1992.256.78
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
This figure’s body is rounded in contour and rises to squared shoulders from which the hands project horizontally forward. Both hands, articulated as fists, appear to have held some object. Two small pellet-shaped breasts are placed close together below the neck. The large head is dominated by two deeply recessed oval cavities for the eyes, which may have contained some contrasting inlaid material. A prominent smiling mouth is visible beneath the short hooked nose. Vertical, rounded tab-like ears project from the head. A low, flattened cylindrical headdress with a central vertical groove and two horizontal grooves on either side crowns the head. This in turn supports a forward projecting feature from which a narrow ridge in relief extends half way down the back of the head. The projecting feature may be a crest or perhaps even a bird perched on the top of the head. This statuette has a rectangular tang, with a rounded knob projecting from the top of the tang to represent the feet.

David G. Mitten

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