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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1952.111
Title
Knobbed Fibula
Classification
Jewelry
Work Type
pin, fibula
Date
5th century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe
Period
Archaic period to Classical
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/311562

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Bronze
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
3.1 x 4 x 0.8 cm (1 1/4 x 1 9/16 x 5/16 in.)
Technical Details

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

Technical Observations: The patina is light green with spots of blue and underlying red. Brown burial accretions are also present in some areas. The surface is well preserved in the green corrosion layer. The tip of the pin is lost.

The bow section was cast, probably using a lost-wax technique. It is difficult to know if a mold was used to make the wax model or if it was formed directly. The catchplate was hammered to its thin shape from one end of the cast bow. The two halves of the hinge were formed by cutting a slot between them. The pin was formed by cold working and drilled to accept the iron pin at the hinge.


Henry Lie (submitted 2012)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Herbert D. Hoffmann
Accession Year
1952
Object Number
1952.111
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 small fibula is an excellent example of varieties that occur specifically in Macedonia (1). The fibula has five reel-shaped knobs on its cast bow. The upturned catchplate is marked by two rounded lateral extensions, with two tiny grooved circles on the side opposite the catchplate. Instead of being formed by the continuation of a spring-coiled wire, the pin is hinged, which indicates a later date. The tip of the pin is missing. The pin is fastened to the end of the bow opposite the catchplate by a rivet. This fibula, which has numerous close parallels in silver, was made during the fifth century BCE and is the descendent of types that were common in this region during the late Iron Age.

NOTES:

1. For comparison, see H. Philipp, Bronzeschmuck aus Olympia, Olympische Forschungen 13 (Berlin, 1981) 317, no. 1132, pl. 70; and I. Kilian-Dirlmeier, Kleinfunde aus dem Athena Itonia-Heiligtum bei Philia (Thessalien) (Mainz, 2002) 97, nos. 1494-98, pl. 94. For other examples, see Chr. Blinkenberg, Lindiaka 5: Fibules grecques et orientales, Historisk-filologiske meddelelser 13.1 (Copenhagen, 1926).


David G. Mitten

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 3620 University Study Gallery, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 08/22/2016 - 01/08/2017

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Bronzes

Related Works

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