Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze:
Cu, 71.33; Sn, 6.86; Pb, 21.59; Zn, 0.051; Fe, 0.02; Ni, 0.03; Ag, 0.06; Sb, 0.06; As, less than 0.10; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, less than 0.005; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer
Technical Observations: The patina is dark brown with some green. Corrosion has caused surface pitting, as well as several small holes and losses.
This piece was cast using the indirect lost-wax process. There are wax manipulation marks on the interior. The front 2 cm of the foot are solid, presumably because wax poured into the mold completely filled this area instead of coating the walls of the mold. The opening on the heel is regular and appears to be an intentional part of the cast. It would have allowed an object inserted into the cylindrical socket to project lower into the opening, although this may not have been the intention. The opening on the top of the ankle is also a finished cast edge. The hole above the heel for fastening the insert is tapered slightly and may have been cut in the metal. A cast bronze fill (6 x 3 mm) above the small toe projects into the interior and is an ancient repair of a casting flaw. A thin black deposit on the interior could be organic material related to securing the dowel in the foot. Although corrosion has textured the straps of the sandal, the relief pattern does not appear to be intentional.
Henry Lie (submitted 2002)
