Creator

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Creation Date

1st century BCE – 1st century CE

Geography

Eastern Mediterranean

Culture

Roman

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

5 1/8 × 13/16 × 7/16 in. (12.9 × 1.9 × 0.8 cm)

0.7 oz. (20.6 g)

Credit Line

Bequest of David P. Harris ('46), 2020

Accession Number

2020.124

Provenance

Purchased by David P. Harris from Julia Schottlander (Tetragon) in London on October 26, 1991.

Condition

Some erosion/rounding and slight crumbling between rooster’s legs, especially the rooster’s right, which has a significant divot (may serve a practical function or be the result of wear). The surface of the pin shows some signs of oxidation throughout, with slightly green or brown splotches.

Will Madden (’26), October 2023

Description

The object is long and conical, tapering towards a sharp point on one end, with the other end being ornamented with a bird-like figure who appears to stand on an octahedral base. At a small increment below the octahedral base, an irregular spherical shape encircles the long shaft. The base and the spherical shapes are 0.4 in (1 cm) apart, a length that seems to form a convenient space where the object can be pinched between two fingers. This length of the shaft is four-sided rather than smooth, perhaps to keep it from slipping from one’s fingers. The spherical, pointed end is much longer than the blunt, ornamental end, indicating that it may have served as a pin. It closely resembles the Roman hair bodkins which would have served to secure tight, simple women’s hairstyles (Stevens 2008, 112); although implements such as this were also used for applying cosmetics such as perfume, or else as a stylus for writing on a wax tablet (Stevens 2008, 117). Because the bird figure atop the pin is more ornamental than practical, we might assume that the pin is to be used for decorative, as well as practical, purposes. The bird figure at the top of the pin is about 1.3 in. (3.3 cm) tall. It stands upright, with the space between its smooth, skinny legs forming a rectangular window. At the back of the body, there is a wide, pointed tail, from which protrudes a curbed plumage, decorated with rudimentary hatches likely meant to signify feathers. Atop the long neck, a simple head is adorned with a three-peaked crown which has suffered some wear. The crown and the plumage, as well as some small divots right below the pin, seem to indicate that this bird is a rooster. This hypothesis is further supported by the proud, stately stature of the bird, and the fact that it is comparable to other Ancient Roman rooster decorations. The significance of the rooster may be symbolic of the god Mercury, who was believed to be involved in safe passage from the land of the living to the dead (Grossi 2017). Romans may have favored a rooster adornment as a talisman to secure them this safe passage.

Further Reading

Grossi, Federica. 2017. “Through Celts and Romans: Technology and Symbolism of Bronze Enameled Roosters.” In Artistry in Bronze: The Greeks and Their Legacy (XIXth International Congress on Ancient Bronzes). Edited by Jens M. Daehner, Kenneth Lapatin, and Ambra Spinelli. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum; Getty Conservation Institute. https://www.getty.edu/publications/artistryinbronze/statuettes/19-grossi/

Stevens, Janet. 2008. “Ancient Roman hairdressing: On Hairpins and Needles.” Journal of Roman Archaeology 21: 110–132.

Will Madden (’26)

2020.124.pdf (735 kB)
Purchase Receipt and Supporting Documents

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