Chemical Composition: XRF data from Artax 1
Alloy: Mixed Copper Alloy
Alloying Elements: copper, tin, lead, zinc
Other Elements: iron
K. Eremin, January 2014
Technical Observations: The surface has been chemically stripped of what were likely green and red corrosion products and has oxidized to a dark color. The iron blade is lost except for some remaining reddish rust. The inlays at the collar and eyes are lost. Only a small part of the protruding tongue remains.
The bronze is a solid cast from a wax model. It is not clear if a mold was used to form the wax model or if it was modeled directly. Cold work is present in the areas where recesses were carved to receive inlay: the eyes, collar, and the three central veins of the leaves. These veins contain remnants of iron. Some remaining green in the collar may indicate a copper inlay or copper alloy of a different color. The eye cavities are empty and clean. The rusted remains of the iron blade are still present, as is the iron pin that held it in place and served as a pivot. Fine striations in the slot for storing the blade indicate it was cut abrasively rather than cast. The remnant of the tongue is lined up with the flattened head of a pin at the top of the nose and is probably the same piece of metal. This element has a smooth, black surface, but XRF analysis indicates that the alloy is consistent with that of the body of the dog. Two 3-mm beads of a green mineral, probably polished malachite, are set into the junction of the three leaves; a third bead is set into the back of the dog’s neck.
Henry Lie (submitted 2012)
