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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1972.313
Title
Amphora Handle
Classification
Vessels
Work Type
handle
Date
1st-2nd century CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe
Period
Roman Imperial period, Middle
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/304319

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Leaded bronze
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
15 x 6.2 cm (5 7/8 x 2 7/16 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze:
Cu, 67.02; Sn, 5.3; Pb, 27.18; Zn, 0.089; Fe, 0.01; Ni, 0.03; Ag, 0.05; Sb, 0.19; As, 0.13; 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 green with underlying red and spots of blue. Small areas of brown accretion are found overall. The surface is well preserved, and the handle is intact.

The handle is a hollow cast. Chisel marks on the back surface show how the wax model was adjusted to fit the surface of the vessel. Direct wax manipulation of the back and interior surfaces is an indication that the wax model was cast in a mold as part of the indirect lost-wax technique. The mold-made wax model may also have had additional relief detail worked on the surface prior to casting. The finer lines on the bust of the figure appear to have been stamped directly in the metal. The lead used to attach the handle to the vessel at both ends also appears to have partially or completely filled the hollow interior. Much of it has corroded and is now white.


Henry Lie (submitted 2002)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
[Sotheby's (New York), The Thomas Barlow Walker Collection, Sept. 26-28, 1972, lot 297, sold]; to anonymous collection, gift; to the Fogg Museum, 1972.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Anonymous Gift in honor of Thomas D. Cabot
Accession Year
1972
Object Number
1972.313
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
Molded decorations cover the exterior surface of this amphora handle (1). The head of the bust on the attachment plate is rendered almost completely in the round. The bust appears to represent Dionysos wearing an animal skin that is fastened over his left shoulder, leaving the right exposed, and a diadem or crown with leaves and flowers. The animal skin is folded on its upper border and is secured by a knot, with the animal’s feet hanging over the left shoulder; tufts of fur are incised on the surface. The god is beardless, and his wavy hair is swept back from his face. The face is well modeled, with detailed eyes, a thin nose, and the lips of the mouth pressed closed. The head turns slightly down and toward the left shoulder, while the arms sink into the handle, ending just below the shoulders. The bust is bordered by a plain band, and a triangular palmette extends from the bottom.

The top of the handle is piriform and curves where it attached to the vessel. The handle is oblong in section. An area of incised lines appears directly below the upper terminal, followed by three horizontal beaded rows, the lower of which continues down each side. Within the beaded borders are the head of a bearded satyr in profile, his pointed ears deeply recessed, and a woven basket filled with globular objects with central circles, perhaps fruit or flowers. The weaving in the basket is indicated by a lattice pattern of incised lines, and it has a double horizontal border on top and bottom. The beaded border ends at a double volute behind the head of Dionysos.

NOTES:

1. For similar handles with slightly different imagery see A. de Ridder, Catalogue des bronzes antique, Museé du Louvre (Paris, 1913) 107, no. 2649, pl. 96; E. Sanmartí Grego, “Dos asas con representación metróaca del Museo Arqueológico de Barcelona,” Ampurias 31-32 (1969-1970): 285-89; Los bronces romanos en España, exh. cat., Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Palacio de Velazquez (Madrid, 1990) 218, no. 104 (one of the handles considered by Sanmartí Grego); and H. Sedlmayer, Die römischen Bronzegefässe in Noricum, Monographies instrumentum 10 (Montagnac, 1999) 11-13, no. 3.1.2, pl. 1.5 (vessel and handle).


Lisa M. Anderson

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