Chemical Composition: ICP-MS sample, Leaded Bronze:
Section A: Cu, 91.66; Sn, 4.64; Pb, 2.56; Zn, 0.003; Fe, 0.02; Ni, 0.15; Ag, 0.1; Sb, 0.23; As, 0.57; Bi, 0.035; Co, 0.033; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
Section B: Cu, 89.27; Sn, 4.32; Pb, 5.26; Zn, 0.002; Fe, 0.03; Ni, 0.13; Ag, 0.18; Sb, 0.32; As, 0.41; Bi, 0.059; Co, 0.019; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer
Technical Observations: The patina is mottled light olive green with a few black spots. The pieces seem to be in good structural condition, although the metal is highly mineralized. The surface of the part with the hoops (1997.249.A) due to rough with corrosion and hard surface accretions. The piece with the hooks (1997.249.B) is smooth and has been cleaned; some of the lines on its surface appear to have been enhanced during cleaning.
The pieces appear to have been modeled directly from short, mitered wax rolls (that is, cut at a 45-degree angle) that were joined by melting and pressing the corners together. The animal heads were modeled in the wax. The horses’ ears were punched in the wax, but due to the corrosion, it is difficult to say whether the decorative lines on the necks and at the base of the hooks and rings were made in the metal or in the wax.
Francesca G. Bewer (submitted 2002)
