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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1977.216.1984
Title
Oinochoe Handle
Classification
Vessels
Work Type
handle
Date
early 5th century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Etruria
Period
Archaic period, Late, to Early Classical
Culture
Etruscan
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/304024

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Leaded bronze
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
14 x 8.9 cm (5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze:
Cu, 75.61; Sn, 4.48; Pb, 18.68; Zn, 0.008; Fe, 0.03; Ni, 0.14; Ag, 0.12; Sb, 0.28; As, 0.58; Bi, 0.061; Co, 0.014; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer

Technical Observations: The patina is generally dark green and brown with a slightly lumpy upper layer, which has largely been lost, revealing a slightly pitted underlayer that is lighter in color. There are tan burial accretions on the undersides of handle. Areas of light green and whitish powdery corrosion may be bronze disease. Some exposed metal evident in worn or abraded areas.

Four structural cracks are present: two on one of the upper bracket arms, and two on one of the lobes of the palmette at the bottom of the handle. Otherwise the handle is structurally sound. The surface has been disrupted showing loss of the upper patina.

The bronze handle is solid and cast in one piece. Three attachment holes—two at the top and one at the bottom—seem to have been formed in the model prior to casting. The hole at the bottom has a bronze rivet with its head hammered on the surface and its pin broken and deformed on the reverse. The top of the handle has a groove to fit on the rim of the vessel. There is no evidence of cold working on the front, and there is an excess of unfinished metal in a few places on the reverse.


Carol Snow and Nina Vinogradskaya (submitted 2002)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Department of the Classics, Harvard University
Accession Year
1977
Object Number
1977.216.1984
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 handle curves down to its base attachment, which is in the shape of a palmette. At the join for the rim, the handle begins with a round protrusion that tapers into the handle itself. Two rivet holes remain at the rim join, and a piece of rivet survives on the back of the palmette. The first two leaves of the palmette curve sharply upward. Four leaves on each side turn downward, surrounding one long central leaf.

NOTES:

1. For a very similar handle still attached to its vessel, see L. Bonfante and F. Roncalli, eds., Antichita dall’Umbria a New York, exh. cat. (Perugia, 1991) 168, no. 2.34 (Perugia, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, inv. no. 51008).


Marina D. Haworth

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