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Bronze crab

3rd–1st century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 161
The hole at the top of the carapace indicates that the crab served as a furniture attachment or as a base, possibly for a lamp. The naturalistic articulation presupposes firsthand observation of a live specimen.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bronze crab
  • Period: Hellenistic
  • Date: 3rd–1st century BCE
  • Culture: Greek
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 2 1/4 × 6 1/2 × 5 1/2 in., 2 lb. (5.7 × 16.5 × 14 cm)
  • Classification: Bronzes
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Mr. and Mrs. John Moscahlaidis Gift, 1992
  • Object Number: 1992.11.69
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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