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18th October 2006

This bronze implement.

It's broken it two.

Don't know where it was found.

184 mm

 




 

Top and bottom

 




 

In the "cage" are four small bronze balls  which move very easily.

They dont make much noise; it's not a rattle.

Looks more like a spirit level!

 





 

It looks to me as if the broader part is a case which houses whatever was attached to the other part. If so, it can only be a  needle thin thing. 

Al in all does not really look Roman; looks earlier. Maybe Greek.

What is it??




 

   From Graham

19th Oct 06

As to the "mystery object", I have no immediate definite thoughts. I suspect that, as a result of metal detecting efforts, lots of strange objects will now surface.

Imma Kilian-Dirlmeier  Anhaenger in Griechenland von der mykenischen bis zur spaetgeometrischen Zeit (Praehistorische Bronzefunde Part 11, vol.2, 1979) has as nos 838-840 three bronze objects with similar shafts, topped with what look like birds. The shafts appear to be hollow. These are not particularly close parallels overall, they lack the ring-topped shaft with the bronze balls in the "cage", and are clearly earlier than yours (7th ot 6th cent BC).

But the text (p.148, footnote 82) refers for parallels to B. Moorey Persian Bronzes pp.231ff, with the promise of many comparisons with birds (as in the three Greek ones) or quadrupeds (as in yours) as the crowning element. The footnote also refers to P. Calmeier Altiranische Bronzen der Sammlung Broekelschen (1964) pl.32.73, and L. Vanden Berghe (unnamed article) Iranica Antica 10 (1973) p.48 and pl.23.3, again with the promise of many comparisons. These might be worth checking. A Western Asiatic origin seems at least possible. Try the BM?

A provenance might be instructive. Would the colour/condition of the bronze suggest anything about provenance? Do you have any idea where it was supposed to be found?

A cursory glance at the text for the Greek items does not reveal any speculation about purpose/function.

 

Thanks for that!

No, don't know where it was found.

A great deal of the small stray finds appearing on the market now are from the Balkans so that's a good bet.

The patina is a light "powdery" green.

That would probably rule out Turkey at least; though that's  noot based on much more than speculation.

 

   From Robert 

20th Oct 06

I have never seen anything like this before, but I suspect the cat on top is a Lynx.  Lynx' live is colder climates, and so would not be found in most middle eastern Countries.  They do live in the northern parts of China.  But artistically I would think this is European.

The construction is interesting, as it had to be made in two pieces in order to get those balls in there.  I suspect the "break" is at where the joint is from when it was made.  There appears to be an iron rod inside, to close the hole where the balls were put in from, and to give the thin bronze strength there.  I don't think this construction is ancient.

The rendering of the cat is very life like, or at least not overly stylized, and that also is not consistent with ancient.  My guess would be later medieval or even early modern (15th to 18th century), probably from Western Europe.

There is a possibility it was designed to pull apart where the joint is, in which case I suspect it purpose was as a needle case, although it seems a little long for that.

But the reality is, I am only make slightly educated guesses.

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