1992.256.79: Nude "Hermaphrodite"

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1992.256.79

Title

Nude "Hermaphrodite"

Classification

Sculpture

Work Type

statuette, sculpture

Date

2nd millennium BCE

Places

Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World

Period

Bronze Age

Culture

Near Eastern

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/310325

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Bronze

Technique

Cast, lost-wax process

Dimensions

7.2 x 2.4 x 1.8 cm (2 13/16 x 15/16 x 11/16 in.)

Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Bronze:
Cu, 83.36; Sn, 14.46; Pb, 0.94; Zn, 0.011; Fe, 0.03; Ni, 0.04; Ag, 0.03; Sb, 0.21; As, 0.25; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, less than 0.01; Au, 0.687; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer

Chemical Composition: XRF data from Artax 1 and Tracer
Alloy: Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin
Other Elements: lead, iron
K. Eremin, January 2014

Technical Observations: The patina is grayish green with areas of green and spots of underlying red. Brown accretions are present. The freely modeled shapes and surfaces indicate the object was cast from a model made directly in wax. There is no clear evidence of cold work on the surface.


Henry Lie (submitted 2012)

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

1992.256.79

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Subjects and Contexts

• Ancient Bronzes

Verification Level