2023.501.3: Bull Head Pendant

Identification and Creation

Object Number

2023.501.3

Title

Bull Head Pendant

Classification

Jewelry

Work Type

pendant

Places

Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Luristan (Iran)
Find Spot: Middle East, Iran, Western Iran

Culture

Iranian

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/175203

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Bronze

Technique

Cast, lost-wax process

Dimensions

2 x 2.3 x 3 cm (13/16 x 7/8 x 1 3/16 in.)

Technical Details

Chemical Composition: XRF data from Tracer
Alloy: Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin
Other Elements: lead, iron, silver

K. Eremin, January 2014

Technical Observations: The surface is mottled dark blue, green, and tan. Small areas of the corrosion layer have popped off, exposing a smooth cupritic reddish-brown layer below.



This pendant is a solid lost-wax cast and was made in one piece. The model was fashioned directly in the wax. Due to the uneven, rough nature of the corrosion products and other accretions on the surface, it is difficult to say much about the original surface treatment.




Francesca G. Bewer (submitted 2012)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History

Kurt H. Weil, Montclair, NJ (1927-1992), by descent; to Kathleen Weil-Garris Brandt, New York (1912-2023), gift; to the Harvard Art Museums.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Professor Kathleen Weil-Garris Brandt

Accession Year

2023

Object Number

2023.501.3

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Subjects and Contexts

• Ancient Bronzes

Verification Level