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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1985.94
Title
Harness Fitting in the Form of a Bird of Prey
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
sculpture
Date
6th century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Anatolia
Period
Iron Age
Culture
Central Asian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/304324

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Leaded bronze
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
3.5 x 2.2 x 0.4 cm (1 3/8 x 7/8 x 3/16 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze:
Cu, 91.82; Sn, 3.31; Pb, 4.49; Zn, 0.005; Fe, 0.01; Ni, 0.1; Ag, 0.05; Sb, 0.06; As, 0.14; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.013; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer

Technical Observations: The patina is dark green, and there are areas of dark brown where the green has worn away. There is no red layer under the green layer. The surfaces are considerably worn, as if it was often handled after excavation. Small striations in some areas are from cleaning rather than original fabrication.

The object is a solid cast, probably from a wax model. The simple shapes could have been formed directly in the wax or in a mold. The eyes where formed or at least enhanced using a punch. The claws may also have been cold worked.


Henry Lie (submitted 2012)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Bernheimer
Accession Year
1985
Object Number
1985.94
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
This harness fitting is in the shape of a stylized bird, standing frontally with wings spread (1). Two vertical loop attachments (c. 1 cm in diameter) emerge from the back. The bird is rendered simply, with minimal details. Its eyes are slightly raised domes with circles incised around them, and it has a parrot-like beak (2). Its wings are simple parabolas. It has a prominent, rounded breast that narrows toward the feet, which are depicted separately, with three raised lines on each foot indicating talons. Below the talons, the simple tail is visible. The back is flat and featureless except for the attachment loops.

NOTES:

1. Compare E. V. Perevodchikova, The Language of Animal Images: Essays on Art of the Eurasian Steppes in the Scythian Epoch (Moscow, 1994) fig. 1.7 (a frontal bird with wings spread and head in profile); E. C. Bunker, “Animal Style” Art from East to West, exh. cat., Asia House Gallery, New York; University Museum, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; M. H. de Young Memorial Museum, San Francisco (New York, 1970) 142, no. 106 (a harness trapping with the head of a bird or griffin and a vertical loop for attachment).

2. For similar bird heads, see A. Salmony, Sino-Siberian Art in the Collection of C.T. Loo (Paris, 1933) 40-41, pls. 6.3-4 and 11.18-19.


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