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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1973.4
Title
Macehead
Classification
Weapons and Ammunition
Work Type
mace
Date
second half 2nd millennium BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Luristan (Iran)
Period
Iron Age II-III
Culture
Iranian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/303977

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Mixed copper alloy
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
8.9 cm (3 1/2 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Mixed Copper Alloy:
Cu, 77.92; Sn, 4.38; Pb, 12.31; Zn, 3.88; Fe, 0.26; Ni, 0.11; Ag, 0.12; Sb, 0.42; As, 0.58; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.019; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer

Chemical Composition: XRF data from Tracer
Alloy: Mixed Copper Alloy
Alloying Elements: copper, tin, lead, zinc
Other Elements: iron, silver, antimony
K. Eremin, January 2014

Technical Observations: The patina is red, green, and brown with brown burial deposits. Surface deformations are evident, as are structural cracks and deformations. One of the protruding flanges has been lost. The mace head was cast by the lost-wax process.


Carol Snow (submitted 2002)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Anonymous Gift
Accession Year
1973
Object Number
1973.4
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
The exterior of this thick-walled macehead bears seven raised flanges separated by wide troughs; an eighth flange has broken off and is missing (1). Each flange is roughly triangular in shape. The hollow cylindrical socket is open at both ends. The shaft below the macehead is decorated with incised lines and hatch marks as well as with a raised band at the juncture with the head and at the bottom. The macehead appears to have been crushed and partially reshaped.

NOTES:

1. For the general shape of the macehead, compare E. O. Negahban, Weapons from Marlik, Archäologische Mitteilungen aus Iran 16 (Berlin, 1995) 25-26, no. 80 M, fig.1, pl. 2 (dated c. 1500-1100 BCE); and Bronzes du Luristan: Énigmes d l’Iran ancien, III-Ier millénaire av. J.-C., exh. cat., Musée Cernuschi (Paris, 2008) 82, no. 21 (a generally similar shape with flanges, although narrower, and dated c. 1300-1000 BCE).

Lisa M. Anderson

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Bronzes

Related Works

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