Pin with Janiform Human Heads
10th-8th century BCE
Description
The top of the pin is a flat dome with a beveled edge, surrounded by a ring. Below the top is a cylindrical section with scooped-in sides that expands back out into a ring,below which are four side-by-side faces of two alternating types. Two of the faces are long and thin, with short protruding C-shaped ears, small raised dots for eyes, thin protruding L-shaped noses, and narrow rounded chins. Alternating with these faces are two that are much less human: wide, square faces with jowls, high raised noses (the ears of the adjacent heads), and raised eyes widely spaced, but no indication of mouth or chin. Below the faces, the pin is cylindrical again, and then there is a raised ring, narrowing and then expanding again into a raised faceted section with a hole drilled in from the underside on the sides with the broad “faces.” The circular-sectioned pin shaft tapers to a point.
Dimensions
14.8 x 2.3 cm (5 13/16 x 7/8 in.)
Provenance
Louise M. and George E. Bates, Camden, ME (by 1971-1992), gift; to the Harvard University Art Museums, 1992.
Related Artworks
View MoreCopper alloy
1st century BCE-1st century CERomanCopper alloy
9th-8th century BCEItalicLeaded bronze
1st-2nd century CERomanLeaded bronze
3rd century BCEGreekGold
4th century BCEGreekCopper alloy
1st millennium BCE-1st millenium CEUnidentified cultureBrass
5th-6th centuryByzantineCopper alloy
9th-12th centuryByzantineCopper alloy
1st century BCE-1st century CERomanGlass
RomanFibula: leaded bronze; Pin: Mixed copper alloy
2nd-3rd century CERoman