1992.256.69: Pin with Janiform Human Heads

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1992.256.69

Title

Pin with Janiform Human Heads

Classification

Jewelry

Work Type

pin

Date

10th-8th century BCE

Places

Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Luristan (Iran)

Period

Iron Age

Culture

Iranian

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/310322

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Bronze

Technique

Cast, lost-wax process

Dimensions

14.8 x 2.3 cm (5 13/16 x 7/8 in.)

Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Bronze:

Point 1 (top): Cu, 90; Sn, 8.77; Pb, 0.32; Zn, 0.056; Fe, 0.1; Ni, 0.05; Ag, 0.05; Sb, 0.21; As, 0.4; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.044; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001

Point 2 (pin): Cu, 94.85; Sn, 3.89; Pb, 0.48; Zn, 0.018; Fe, 0.23; Ni, 0.04; Ag, 0.1; Sb, 0.09; As, 0.23; Bi, 0.062; Co, 0.02; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001

Point 3 (middle): Cu, 90.84; Sn, 7.68; Pb, 0.6; Zn, 0.034; Fe, 0.26; Ni, 0.04; Ag, 0.11; Sb, 0.28; As, 0.14; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.026; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001


J. Riederer

Chemical Composition: Pin shaft
XRF data from Tracer
Alloy: Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin
Other Elements: lead, iron, silver, antimony
Comments: The presence of calcium, barium, chromium, lead, zinc, and strontium represent pigment on the surface of the object.

Pin head
XRF data from Tracer
Alloy: Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin
Other Elements: lead, iron, silver, antimony

K. Eremin, January 2014

Technical Observations: The patina of these pins (164.1972, 1969.190, 1992.256.69, 1992.256.120, and 2004.196) is green with areas of dark green and red. Some burial accretions are present. The decorative top and the rod shape of the pins were probably cast using an indirect lost-wax technique. It is likely that the tapering point of each pin was refined by hammering. Finer details in the decorative tops may also include punching, such as the chevron lines in 2004.196. The soft fluid shapes of 164.1972 probably indicate direct work on the wax model.


Henry Lie (submitted 2011)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History

Louise M. and George E. Bates, Camden, ME (by 1971-1992), gift; to the Harvard University Art Museums, 1992.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Louise M. and George E. Bates

Accession Year

1992

Object Number

1992.256.69

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

The top of the pin is a flat dome with a beveled edge, surrounded by a ring. Below the top is a cylindrical section with scooped-in sides that expands back out into a ring,below which are four side-by-side faces of two alternating types. Two of the faces are long and thin, with short protruding C-shaped ears, small raised dots for eyes, thin protruding L-shaped noses, and narrow rounded chins. Alternating with these faces are two that are much less human: wide, square faces with jowls, high raised noses (the ears of the adjacent heads), and raised eyes widely spaced, but no indication of mouth or chin. Below the faces, the pin is cylindrical again, and then there is a raised ring, narrowing and then expanding again into a raised faceted section with a hole drilled in from the underside on the sides with the broad “faces.” The circular-sectioned pin shaft tapers to a point.

Subjects and Contexts

• Ancient Bronzes

Verification Level