Antiquities Discussion Forums > Other Metal Antiquities
Hollow Cast Lead Heads from Caesarea Maritima
v-drome:
Hi, all. Here is a another set of interesting lead artifacts, along the lines of the lead amphorae posted earlier, found along the beach near Caesarea in the late 1960's and 70's. They are in the form of miniature heads, apparently meant to be crimped on to a shaft or other type of object. My father thought he recalled seeing a similar one attached to an iron blade at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, many years ago, but I have not been able to confirm this. The thought is that these could have been pommels for small ceremonial daggers awarded to military officers or other dignitaries. They all have different features and adornments, which sort of reminds me of the different types and features of the horsemen on the FEL TEMP coins, perhaps commemorating victories against the various enemies of Rome. They all have external mold lines, and smooth interiors with no trace of a seam, so I think they were made in a two part mold using the "slush casting" technique to produce hollow spaces. At least one type (BCC LH6 and LH7) is known from three identical specimens, all from the same mold, all from Caesarea. I will be posting the individual objects over the next few days, and anyone having or knowing of similar objects is encouraged to post them along with other ideas or comments. We are hoping to eventually have these published in a volume which would include lead objects from a number of collections comprised of material from Caesarea, shedding light on what was obviously a major industrial and cultural aspect of the ancient city. Any corrections or additions to the descriptions and suggestions on the possible ethnic origins of the identifying features would also be most appreciated.
Thanks, V-drome
(click for larger pic)
v-drome:
BCC LH1
Miniature Lead Head
1st-4th Century CE?
Cast lead figure of a miniature stylized head, possibly crimped on to a
shaft or tang? This specimen is unusual in that it is slightly larger and
heavier than the other heads,and the face is flat with a hollow neck.
My father recalled seeing a similar object with an iron blade attached to
it at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, but I have not been
able to confirm this.
49 x 23 x 9.5mm. 32.28gm.
Surface find, 1976, Caesarea Maritima
v-drome:
BCC LH2
Miniature Lead Head
1st-4th Century CE?
Hollow cast lead figure of a miniature stylized head.
Crushed flat, but otherwise well preserved. This artifact
is part of a collection of similar objects now being studied.
I hope to have a more complete explanation of these
mysterious items in the future. It is interesting that the
various pieces in this collection have different facial features,
hair styles, and head coverings. They remind me of the many
different representations of the enemies of Rome on the
"FEL TEMP REPARATIO" coins.
31 x 22 x 5mm. 8.79gm.
Surface find, 1974, Caesarea Maritima
v-drome:
BCC LH3
Miniature Lead Head
1st-4th Century CE?
Hollow cast lead figure of a miniature stylized head.
Pierced from the back, and possibly crimped on to a
shaft or tang? This specimen is unusual among the known
assemblage of these strange objects in that the mold was
prepared along the front and back sides rather than the left
and right sides. The interior is smooth with no sign of a seam.
Small hole in back, cf. BCC LH9
36.5 x 21.5 x 15mm. 19.02gm.
Surface find, 1974, Caesarea Maritima
(click for larger pic)
v-drome:
BCC LH4
Miniature Lead Head
1st-4th Century CE?
Hollow cast lead figure of a miniature stylized head, perhaps
wearing a Phrygian? cap or helmet. Apparently it was fitted
onto a shaft, or tang. The interior is smooth with no traces
of a seam. The method of casting may be a technique known
as "slush casting" in a two-part mold. The function of these
artifacts remains uncertain at this time.
41.5 x 19 x 11mm. 18.64gm.
Surface find, 1975, Caesarea Maritima
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version