Candelabrum

1 of 2

Artist
Name	Unknown
Basic Info
Created in	Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Etruria
Century	1st millennium CE
Culture	Unidentified culture
Dimensions	32.5 x 12.5 cm (12 13/16 x 4 15/16 in.)
Harvard Museum
Department	Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics
Division	Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact	am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Context

This three-footed candelabrum is topped by a bell-shaped bowl with molding on the rim and base, flaring at the top and scalloped along the sides (1). The shaft of the candelabrum is elaborately modeled with sharp and rounded disc-shapes protruding (2). The base is missing one foot that has been repaired with a wooden replacement. Five protruding decorative knobs surround the conical base, which also bears two bands of incised linear decoration.
 
NOTES:
 
1. For a similar bell-shaped bowl, see J. W. Hayes, Greek, Roman, and Related Metalware in the Royal Ontario Museum: A Catalogue (Toronto, 1984) 148-49, no. 230.
 
2. For the style of the shaft and base, compare L. Wamser and G. Zahlhaas, eds., Rom und Byzanz: Archäologische Kostbarkeiten aus Bayern (Munich, 1998) 83-87, nos. 73, 75, and 79.
 
Lisa M. Anderson

TechnicalDetails

Chemical Composition

ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Mixed Copper Alloy:
Point 1: Cu, 71.72; Sn, 3.64; Pb, 13.13; Zn, 9.89; Fe, 0.93; Ni, 0.05; Ag, 0.09; Sb, 0.14; As, 0.3; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.012; Au, 0.098; Cd, less than 0.001
ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze:
Point 2: Cu, 71.25; Sn, 7.27; Pb, 21.1; Zn, 0.005; Fe, less than 0.01; Ni, 0.01; Ag, 0.05; Sb, 0.19; As, 0.13; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, less than 0.005; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001

J. Riederer

Technical Observations

The patina is a dark brownish green with isolated spots of bright green corrosion, along with some brownish encrustations from burial. The surface of the upper cup portion is more uneven and shows more reddish oxides than the lower section, which includes the shaft, base, and feet. One leg and a portion of the base are missing, and a jagged edge and blind cracks are present along the damage, indicating brittleness of the cast bronze. 
 
The candelabrum was cast in two sections: 1) the upper cup portion and 2) the shaft, base, and feet. The models for the two portions were shaped and finished by turning, including the decorative lines on the surface. The two sections were joined with solder, which was probably lead, where the shaft fits inside the cup. This solder appears to be modern, although burial dirt is on top of the solder in places. This dirt may have been added after excavation. A gray material can be seen inside the shaft through and inside the two extant feet. 
 
Carol Snow and Nina Vinogradskaya (submitted 2002)

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of David M. Robinson