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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1952.16
Title
Pendant Bull (Ram?) on Small Chain
Classification
Jewelry
Work Type
pendant
Date
7th century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World
Period
Orientalizing period
Culture
Italic
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/310826

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Leaded bronze
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
ram: 2.2 x 1.3 x 3 cm (7/8 x 1/2 x 1 3/16 in.)
chain: diam. 1.2 x th. 0.2 cm (7/16 x 1/16 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze:
Cu, 91.02; Sn, 6.78; Pb, 2.03; Zn, 0.003; Fe, 0.01; Ni, 0.05; Ag, 0.08; Sb, 0.03; As, less than 0.10; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, less than 0.005; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001

J. Riederer

Technical Observations: The patina of both the ram and the chain is a mottled bluish green with various shades of brown. A thin, rough reddish-brown crust of corrosion products covers parts of the pendant.

The solid ram was cast in one piece by the lost-wax process. It does not seem to have had any surface decoration. The horns were formed directly in the wax model by rolling and curling the wax. The ring on the back of the ram was cast integrally. The chain is made up of double rings. Each ring was formed from a faceted metal wire, with the ends cut at a diagonal in order to fit together.


Francesca G. Bewer (submitted 2012)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mrs. Edward Jackson Holmes
Accession Year
1952
Object Number
1952.16
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
The small ram has a vertical loop on its back attaching it to a length of chain (1). The animal is simple and stylized. His peg-like legs taper to points, as does his snout. The neck is relatively long. Aside from the horns, one of which is clearly curving, while the other shows only the beginning of the spiral curve, no other details of the animal appear. The chain is made up of double interlinking rings, which are formed of wire. The ram and chain could have been used as a decorative element in many different contexts.

NOTES:

1. Compare F. Jurgeit, Die etruskischen und italischen Bronzen sowie Gegenstände aus Eisen, Blei, und Leder im Badischen Landesmuseum Karlsruhe, Terra Italia 5 (Pisa, 1999) 633-35, nos. 1113-17, pl. 288.


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