Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
Unable to open [object Object]: HTTP 0 attempting to load TileSource: https://ids.lib.harvard.edu/ids/iiif/18726341/info.json
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
This object does not yet have a description.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1977.216.2201.15
Title
Pin with Animal Head Terminal
Classification
Jewelry
Work Type
pin
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/98294

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Copper alloy
Technique
Cast
Dimensions
4 x 0.65 x 1.1 cm (1 9/16 x 1/4 x 7/16 in.)
Technical Details

Technical Observations: The patina is smooth green and black with encrustations. The shaft is broken off, and the surface detail is poorly preserved. The implement was made by casting with some further working to form the shaft.


Carol Snow (submitted 2002)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
"From Rome" according to Classical Collection index card; received as a gift of H.W. Bell on Feb. 2, 1911.

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
1977.216.2201.15
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
The extant end of this instrument terminates in a finial in the shape of the head of an animal with prominent ears and a long, narrow muzzle. Decorative ribs cover the portion of the shaft closest to the finial; the next section of the pin is undecorated and ends in a break. Without the missing end, it is difficult to identify the function of the object, but the animal head finial may suggest a decorative pin.

David Smart

Subjects and Contexts

  • Roman Domestic Art
  • 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