JAIC 1981, Volume 21, Number 1, Article 1 (pp. 01 to 42)
JAIC online
Journal of the American Institute for Conservation
JAIC 1981, Volume 21, Number 1, Article 1 (pp. 01 to 42)

TECHNICAL EXAMINATION OF THE CLASSICAL BRONZE HORSE FROM THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

Kate C. Lefferts, Lawrence J. Majewski, Edward V. Sayre, Pieter Meyers, R.M. Organ , C.S. Smith , Edward V. Sayre , Robert H. Brill , I. Lynus Barnes , Thomas J. Murphy , & Frederick R. Matson


ABSTRACT—A through technical examination of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Bronze Horse (Acc. No. 23.69) has revealed that the technical evidence used to condemn it does not hold up under critical evaluation. The composition of the metal and core, the nature of the corrosion and its method of manufacture are consistent with the object being of ancient origin. Thermoluminescence experiments performed on the ceramic core material of the horse have proved that the bronze horse was manufactured in antiquity.

Article Sections:

1. CONDITION AND STRUCTURE OF THE HORSE
2. SURFACE ACCRETIONS AND CORROSION PRODUCTS
3. COMPOSITION OF THE METAL
4. COMPOSITION AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF THE ARMATURE AND CORE
5. THERMOLUMINESCENCE DATING OF THE CORE MATERIAL
6. CONCLUSION
1. APPENDIX I
2. CONCLUSIONS
1. APPENDIX II
2. THE ARMATURE
3. THE BRONZE PLUG
1. APPENDIX III
1. APPENDIX IV
2. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
3. RESULTS
4. INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
5. COMPARISONS WITH OTHER OBJECTS
6. CONCLUSIONS
7. SAMPLE DESCRIPTIONS
1. APPENDIX V
2. PETROGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
3. FIRING TESTS
4. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
5. CONCLUSIONS
a: Appendix , Notes , References
Entire Article

Copyright � 1981 American Institute of Historic and Artistic Works