Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze:
Cu, 88.25; Sn, 7.06; Pb, 3.89; Zn, 0.092; Fe, 0.08; Ni, 0.03; Ag, 0.07; Sb, 0.3; As, 0.21; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.013; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer
Technical Observations: The iron rod has a smooth black patina with some orange-brown oxides in the low areas along most of its length. At the barrel-shaped element on the goat’s back, it becomes more corroded, perhaps due to preferential corrosion of the less noble metal. The bronze goat is heavily corroded and has green, red, black, and brown corrosion products and encrustations. The lower end of the iron rod is broken off. The goat is missing its proper right ear. A bronze chain that is connected to the animal’s proper left ear is very corroded—it may be completely mineralized—and it is difficult to discern its original function. It may have also been connected to the proper right ear at its other end.
The iron rod was cast, and traces of two seam lines are still visible in areas along the sides. It was further worked to refine the turned lines, leaving tool marks on the surface. The goat was cast solid with a hole to accommodate the iron rod. The barrel-shaped bronze element was made separately, probably by casting. The surfaces of the bronze are too corroded to provide information about designs or details. The chain was made from hammered wire, its heavily worked structure being more susceptible to corrosion.
Carol Snow (submitted 2002)
