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Identification 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. Riederer

Technical 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

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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