Harvard Art Museums > 2012.1.43: Bone Seal Lock Tools and Equipment Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Bone Seal Lock , 2012.1.43,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Apr 19, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/178398. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 2012.1.43 Title Bone Seal Lock Classification Tools and Equipment Work Type lock Date 1st-4th century Period Roman Imperial period Culture Roman Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/178398 Physical Descriptions Medium Bone Technique Carved Dimensions 2.74 x 1.86 cm (1 1/16 x 3/4 in.) Provenance Recorded Ownership History The Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University (before 1970-2012), transfer; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2012. Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University Accession Year 2012 Object Number 2012.1.43 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 Description This seal lock is made up of two rectangular pieces of bone, a rectangular base, and a rectangular lid that could be moved, all joined with a copper stud. There is some green discoloration. Commentary This lock did not function as a lock in the traditional sense (where an individual needs a key or a code to open the lock), but it did provide some measure of security. Wax was put in the circular hole behind the lid and impressed with a signet ring. The lock would have been attached to a door, container, or other object in such a way that these could not be opened without breaking the seal. Publication History John Crawford, Sidney Goldstein, George M. A. Hanfmann, John Kroll, Judith Lerner, Miranda Marvin, Charlotte Moore, and Duane Roller, Objects of Ancient Daily Life. A Catalogue of the Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection Belonging to the Department of the Classics, Harvard University, ed. Jane Waldbaum, Department of the Classics (unpublished manuscript, 1970), BI51, p. 144-45 [J. A. Lerner] Verification Level This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete.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
