South Italian Metalwork: Bronze Tripod
Inv. No.: 95.093
Provenance: South Italy (Metaponto)
Date: c. 5th century BC
Height: 73mm
Diameter: 175mm
Width: 240 mm (outside diameter of ring: 177 mm)
A bronze tripod formed from a ring set on three supports that end in bases modelled in the shape of lion feet. The top of the ring is flat. It is sharply offset from the rest of the ring which flares out to meet the three supports. The profile of the ring is a cyma recta shape. There is a small amount of corrosion and a green patina, but overall the piece is in very good condition.
Function:
Used to support a bronze bowl, possibly a bowl used for washing feet.
Manufacture:
Made in one piece using the lost-wax method of bronze casting.
Decoration:
- The top of each support ends in a flat horizontal band with volutes at each end. It is decorated with an incised zig-zag pattern.
- Below this the support passes down and thickens slightly. The front edge is flat; it is marked off from each of the sloping side edges by a sharp ridge. The top portion is decorated with a v-shape formed by double incised lines. The ends of the v touch the inner corners of the volutes.
- The base of each support curves out to form a lion foot with four well-defined, knobbly toes ending in claws. This is set on a circular disc that is slightly larger than the animal foot.
Bibliography:
Milne, M. J., "A Greek Footbath in the Metropolitan Museum of Art", American Journal of Archaeology, 48 (1944), 26-63.
Richter, G. M. A., The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Handbook of the Greek Collection, Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 1953, 82.
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:
Carratelli, G. P. (ed.), The Western Greeks, exhibition catalogue, Palazzo Grassi, Venice, 1996, Catalogue No. 8 V (bronze tripod from the Gela wreck).
Richter, G. M. A., The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Handbook of the Greek Collection, Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 1953, Plate 63, f (similar tripod complete with bowl - a foot bath - probably from South Italy).