Finial Support

EMP analysis from sample, Bronze: Cu, 90.89; Sn, 7.79; Pb, 0.03; Zn, 0.00; Fe, 0.08; Ni, 0.00; Ag, 0.01; Sb, 0.00; As, 0.00 T. Richardson, June 1999

ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Bronze: Cu, 90.45; Sn, 9.38; Pb, 0.07; Zn, 0.005; Fe, 0.07; Ni, 0.01; Ag, 0.02; Sb, less than 0.05; As, less than 0.10; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, less than 0.01; Au, less than 0.02; Cd, less than 0.001 J. Riederer

The patina of both finial supports (1959.27 and 1970.37) is green with spots of red with some blue in the interior. Brown burial accretions are also present. The surface is fairly well preserved, although there are some corrosion blisters and surface losses. A 2-cm longitudinal crack in the neck is stable. Some areas of the surface are well preserved, but most areas are obscured by raised corrosion products. There is a dense circular area in the body that is probably an ancient repair; this is visible with the naked eye inside the object. The core material is not visible in the x-radiograph. The finial supports are both hollow and were cast using the indirect lost-wax process, where the wax model was cast in a mold. The decorative ribs on the base and neck are precise, and this detail may have been refined on either the wax model or the finished bronze. The narrow neck, which would have held the pin that secured the finial to the support (see 2005.78.A-C), could have made use of a slender cylindrical core to prevent it from filling with wax, or the neck of the wax model may have been drilled out or otherwise cleaned after the wax model was cast. The facial features on 1959.27 are soft in shape and show no clear evidence of cold working. Henry Lie and Tracy Richardson (submitted 1999, updated)