Roller
Although the exact function of this fragmentary bronze piece is not certain, it has been associated with openwork bronzes produced during the early second millennium B.C., and entered the Met’s collection with one such piece (1984.454.1a,b).
Openwork bronzes are incompletely understood objects produced during the early second millennium B.C. that include one or more openings in a variety of shapes. It seems likely that a cord, strap, or fabric would have been fed through these openings, and various proposals have identified the bronzes as horse trappings, belt buckles, furniture elements, and implements used in the production of textiles. Some examples include a roller like this piece and were probably designed to allow for the adjustment of straps, or movement of a textile through the opening.
Openwork bronzes are incompletely understood objects produced during the early second millennium B.C. that include one or more openings in a variety of shapes. It seems likely that a cord, strap, or fabric would have been fed through these openings, and various proposals have identified the bronzes as horse trappings, belt buckles, furniture elements, and implements used in the production of textiles. Some examples include a roller like this piece and were probably designed to allow for the adjustment of straps, or movement of a textile through the opening.
Artwork Details
- Title: Roller
- Period: Old Babylonian
- Date: ca. 18th century BCE
- Geography: Mesopotamia
- Culture: Babylonian
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: 1.1 x 2.48 in. (2.79 x 6.3 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Elias S. David, in memory of Elias S. David, 1984
- Object Number: 1984.454.2
- Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art
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Assyrian
ca. 1307–1275 BCE
Babylonian
ca. 18th–17th century BCE
Canaanite
ca. 14th–13th century BCE
Elamite
ca. 1500–1100 BCE
Hittite
ca. 14th–13th century BCE
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