Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze
Cu, 82.66; Sn, 9.57; Pb, 7.12; Zn, 0.012; Fe, 0.11; Ni, 0.02; Ag, 0.03; Sb, 0.08; As, 0.33; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.076; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer
Technical Observations: Both feline bronzes (1955.120 and 1952.18) are solid cast, but each has a deep depression at the bottom. The wax models used to make them appear to have been poured into molds that were largely open at the bottom. Some excess wax was poured out, leading to the deep depressions but not a fully hollow cast. Although most of the tail of 1952.18 is lost, the tip is preserved under the back legs in an area that would never have been seen. It could not have been cast in this position in the wax model and was probably shaped separately and attached to the wax cast.
The bottom of 1952.18 was cast to fit neatly over a long, straight cylindrical shape, whereas 1955.120 is curved in its long direction, and it appears the wax was trimmed so it would sit better on a flat surface. 1955.120 also has iron corrosion products on the lower surfaces that may relate to an iron attachment pin, which is partially intact on the loop in the tail. Another pin may lie between the front feet.
Although the surface detail is partially obscured, most of the finer surface relief appears to have been modeled directly in the wax. Details in the hair of 1955.120 are finer and less fluid and may have been cold worked in the bronze cast.
Deep mineralization on 1952.18 has led to chip losses at the feet and the loss of the tail. 1955.120 is less mineralized, but corrosion products obscure some surface details. The patina on each is green with spots of red. 1955.120 has rust stains in some areas.
Henry Lie (submitted 2002)
