1997.249: A Set of Belt Fastenings
Tools and EquipmentIdentification and Creation
- Object Number
- 1997.249
- Title
- A Set of Belt Fastenings
- Classification
- Tools and Equipment
- Work Type
- tool/equipment
- Date
- 7th century BCE
- Places
- Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Etruria
- Period
- Geometric period
- Culture
- Etruscan
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/351341
Physical Descriptions
- Medium
- Leaded bronze
- Technique
- Cast, lost-wax process
- Dimensions
-
A: 7.9 x 7.9 x 1.1 cm (3 1/8 x 3 1/8 x 7/16 in.)
B: 7.5 x 7.8 x 1.1 cm (2 15/16 x 3 1/16 x 7/16 in.) - Technical Details
-
Chemical Composition: ICP-MS sample, Leaded Bronze:
Section A: Cu, 91.66; Sn, 4.64; Pb, 2.56; Zn, 0.003; Fe, 0.02; Ni, 0.15; Ag, 0.1; Sb, 0.23; As, 0.57; Bi, 0.035; Co, 0.033; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
Section B: Cu, 89.27; Sn, 4.32; Pb, 5.26; Zn, 0.002; Fe, 0.03; Ni, 0.13; Ag, 0.18; Sb, 0.32; As, 0.41; Bi, 0.059; Co, 0.019; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. RiedererTechnical Observations: The patina is mottled light olive green with a few black spots. The pieces seem to be in good structural condition, although the metal is highly mineralized. The surface of the part with the hoops (1997.249.A) due to rough with corrosion and hard surface accretions. The piece with the hooks (1997.249.B) is smooth and has been cleaned; some of the lines on its surface appear to have been enhanced during cleaning.
The pieces appear to have been modeled directly from short, mitered wax rolls (that is, cut at a 45-degree angle) that were joined by melting and pressing the corners together. The animal heads were modeled in the wax. The horses’ ears were punched in the wax, but due to the corrosion, it is difficult to say whether the decorative lines on the necks and at the base of the hooks and rings were made in the metal or in the wax.
Francesca G. Bewer (submitted 2002)
Acquisition and Rights
- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Jonathan Kagan
- Accession Year
- 1997
- Object Number
- 1997.249
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
- Permissions
-
The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request.
Descriptions
Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
One component of this set of belt fastenings has two hooks in the shape of animal, probably horse, heads, while the other has two loops (1). The components interlock when the loops and hooks are connected. An open rectangle, circular in section and flared out at each of the four corners, forms the main portion of each component. The loops, forming large circles, have a short neck attaching them to their rectangle. The hooks are elongated curves ending in stylized horse heads. The horses’ ears are short and round, and the end of their muzzles flare out slightly; additional detail includes an impressed line to indicate mouths and molded and incised lines on the top of the head to indicate manes. The hooks, ending with thin incised horizontal lines and chevrons, connect to an openwork rectangle.
NOTES:
1. Compare J. Stettgast, Von Troja bis Amarna: The Norbert Schimmel Collection, New York, exh. cat., Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (Mainz, 1978) no. 43; and A. Naso, I bronzi etruschi e italici del Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Kataloge vor- und frühgeschichtlicher Altertümer 33 (Mainz, 2003) 188-90, nos. 299-304, pls. 89-91.
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