1977.216.2202.15: Needle
Tools and EquipmentIdentification and Creation
- Object Number
- 1977.216.2202.15
- Title
- Needle
- Classification
- Tools and Equipment
- Work Type
- needle
- Date
- 1st-5th century CE
- Places
- Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Rome (Latium)
- Period
- Roman period
- Culture
- Roman
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/99096
Physical Descriptions
- Medium
- Copper alloy
- Technique
- Cast
- Dimensions
- 12.1 x 0.5 cm (4 3/4 x 3/16 in.)
- Technical Details
-
Technical Observations: The patina is crusty green and brown. The object appears to be intact. The needle was made from a cast rod hammered into shape, probably with annealing.
Carol Snow (submitted 2002)
Provenance
- Recorded Ownership History
- Harold Wilmerding Bell, Cambridge, MA (by 1911), gift; to the Department of the Classics, Harvard University (1911-1977), transfer; to the Fogg Museum.
Acquisition and Rights
- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Department of the Classics, Harvard University, Gift of H. W. Bell
- Accession Year
- 1977
- Object Number
- 1977.216.2202.15
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
- Permissions
-
The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request.
Descriptions
Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
The straight shaft of this instrument is relatively thick and tapers to a point at one end, while a round perforation is the main feature of the other end. The eye of this needle is not as pronounced as that of 1977.216.2202.14.
Ancient needles came in a variety of forms and were used for sewing a range of materials, from fine cloth to thick leather (1). Needles are also found sometimes as part of ancient medical instrument kits (2).
NOTES:
1. P. M. Allison, The Insula of the Menander at Pompeii 3: The Finds (Oxford, 2006) 32-33.
2. J. S. Milne, Surgical Instruments in Greek and Roman Times (Oxford, 1907) 74-77; and L. J. Bliquez, Roman Surgical Instruments and Other Minor Objects in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (Mainz, 1994) 53.
David Smart
Subjects and Contexts
- Roman Domestic Art
- Ancient Bronzes
Related Objects
Verification Level
This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu