South Italian Metalwork: Bronze Handles

Inv. No.: 95.092
Provenance: South Italy (Metaponto)
Date: c. 5th century BC
Height: 96 mm (95.092a) and 92 mm (95.092b)
Length: 196mm
 
These moulded horizontal bronze handles from a bronze vase, perhaps a large, shallow bowl, have attachment plates decorated with floral patterns. The plates were originally soldered onto the vase, but have become detached. The handles have a rounded inner surface. The outer surface has two straight sides that meet at an angle in the centre. There is also a straight ridge on each side where the outer surface meets the inner surface. There is a decorative ring with knobs in the middle of each handle. Faceted handles with this shape and a central knobbed ring are characteristic of bowls used for washing feet. Such bowls usually sat on a tripod base. Overall, the handles have a dull green patina and some incrustation, but are in very good condition.

Function:
Handles, used for lifting and manipulating a bronze vase.

Manufacture:
Made in one piece, using the lost-wax method of bronze casting.

Decoration:

1. The central bronze ring is made from a series of balls that are joined together. It is enclosed between two smaller rings.
2. At each end, the handle ends in a ring made from small, round shapes. This is separated by a groove from a flaring round end that joins on to the flat attachment plates. The bottom of this flaring end attaches to a convex cylindrical element decorated with parallel ridges.
3. The inner edge of each attachment plate curves above the flaring end of the handle and ends in a narrow projection of metal. This expands at the end to form an oval shape with a pointed end. On the outer edge of the flaring end of each side of the handle there is a groove and a fine ridge. A finely moulded, horizontal palmette sits on this ridge on each side of the handle.

Bibliography:
Bibliography:

Milne, M. J., "A Greek Footbath in the Metropolitan Museum of Art", American Journal of Archaeology, 48 (1944), 26-63.

Steinberg, A., "Techniques of Working Bronze" in D. G. Mitten and S. F. Doeringer, Master Bronzes from the Classical World, Mainz on Rhine, Philipp von Zabern, 1967, 9-15.

Comparanda:
Richter, G. M. A., The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Handbook of the Greek Collection, Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 1953, Plates 63, f (bronze bowl with similar handles sitting on a tripod - a foot bath - probably from South Italy) and 62, d (Melian terracotta relief showing foot bath in use).