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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1987.135.18
Title
Double Spiral Pendant
Classification
Jewelry
Work Type
pendant
Date
mid 8th-mid 6th century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, South Italy
Period
Iron Age
Culture
Italic
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/303960

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Copper alloy
Technique
Hammered
Dimensions
4.6 x 2.2 x 0.3 cm (1 13/16 x 7/8 x 1/8 in.)
Technical Details

Technical Observations: The patina is green, and the remains of a tan burial material are caught in the recesses. The pendant is formed from one piece of wire. The original surface of the metal is no longer detectible, as the object is considerably mineralized. As a result of this mineralization, cracks have formed, and there are several losses.


Francesca G. Bewer (submitted 2012)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Nagler
Accession Year
1987
Object Number
1987.135.18
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
This pendant, made from one piece of wire, consists of two tightly coiled spirals joined by a bar with a high parabolic curve. The wire tapers slightly toward the center of the spiral at both ends.

This type of pendant was relatively common in the Italic Iron Age and could have decorated a variety of objects, including fibulae with elaborate chains and pendants (1).

NOTES:

1. For examples of spiral pendants of this type attached by chains to fibulae, see P. von Eles Masi, Le fibule dell’Italia settentrionale, Prähistorische Bronzefunde 14.5 (Munich, 1986) nos. 397 A, 397 B, 401, 405-406, 861, 966, and 1043; pls. 24-27, 63, 73, and 84. See also V. Furmánek, Die Anhänger in der Slowakei, Prähistorische Bronzefunde 11.3 (Munich, 1980) 10, nos. 15 and 19-21, pl. 2.


Lisa M. Anderson

Publication History

  • Julie Wolfe, "Analysis of Iron Age Bronze Fibulae from Southern Italy in the Collection of the Harvard University Art Museums" (thesis (certificate in conservation), Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, June 1998), Unpublished, p. 1-14 passim.

Subjects and Contexts

  • 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