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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1977.216.2202.14
Title
Needle
Classification
Tools and Equipment
Work Type
needle
Date
1st-5th century CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Rome (Latium)
Period
Roman period
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/97816

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Copper alloy
Technique
Cast
Dimensions
16 x 0.5 cm (6 5/16 x 3/16 in.)
Technical Details

Technical Observations: The patina is green and brown. The object appears to be intact. The needle was made from a cast rod hammered into shape, probably with annealing.


Carol Snow (submitted 2002)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Harold Wilmerding Bell, Cambridge, MA (by 1911), gift; to the Department of the Classics, Harvard University (1911-1977), transfer; to the Fogg Museum.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Department of the Classics, Harvard University, Gift of H. W. Bell
Accession Year
1977
Object Number
1977.216.2202.14
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
This large needle tapers to a thin, dull point at one end. A series of incisions appear below and above a thin, elongated eye. The smooth shaft expands slightly near the eye (1). Ancient needles came in a variety of forms and were used for sewing a range of materials, from fine cloth to thick leather (2). Needles are also sometimes found as part of ancient medical instrument kits (3).

NOTES:

1. A very similar, although slightly shorter, needle was published as part of a Swiss collection; see N. Rauch, Instruments de chirurgie gréco-romains (Lausanne, 1961) 13 and 18, no. 67.

2. P. M. Allison, The Insula of the Menander at Pompeii 3: The Finds (Oxford, 2006) 32-33.

3. J. S. Milne, Surgical Instruments in Greek and Roman Times (Oxford, 1907) 74-77; and L. J. Bliquez, Roman Surgical Instruments and Other Minor Objects in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (Mainz, 1994) 53.


David Smart

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Bronzes
  • Roman Domestic Art

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