Journal - Comune di Monteleone di Spoleto

100
V.77 location of ivory fragment 21a (Figure V.76) on the central
panel, to the left of the Boeotian shield
21c. Fragment of inlay (from central panel?) (Figure V.76)
ivory
l. 1¼ in. (3.2 cm), W. 1 in. (2.5 cm), thickness at ancient
edge .2 cm
Description. This thin strip resembles the two preceding
ones; its ancient edge is preserved for a length of ¾ in.
(1.8 cm). Crisscross incisions are present on the underside
and along the obliquely cut edge.
Condition. The strip is in three pieces, the central one being
larger than the other two.
Technical observations. See cats. 21a, 21b. The state of the
fragment did not allow identification of the animal order the
ivory belongs to.
Commentary. See cat. 21d.
21d. Fragment of inlay (from central panel?) (Figure V.76)
ivory
l. 3 5⁄8 in. (9.3 cm), W. ¾ in. (1.8 cm), thickness .18 cm
Description. This thin strip resembles the preceding ones,
having the same type of edge, albeit cut more obliquely.
Condition. The fragment is made up of two pieces. The
underside is eroded.
Technical observations. See cats. 21a – 21c. The state of the
fragment did not allow identification of the animal order
the ivory belongs to.
Commentary. in its convexity, ancient edges, and indentation
near the edge, the thin strip (cat. 21a) fits snugly into the
V.78 location of ivory fragment 21b (Figure V.76) on the central
panel, to the right of the Boeotian shield
space between the woman’s right hand and the shield on
the central panel. in particular, the indentation lines up with
the horizontal cutout of the Boeotian shield (Figure V.77), as
if the artist wanted to level the surfaces of the ivory inlays,
which must have filled the shield’s lateral cutouts. This
seems to be confirmed by the fact that strip 21b fits the
opening on the opposite side of the shield (Figure V.78). if
our analysis is correct, then thin strips 21c and 21d, which
are rather similar in appearance, probably also come from
the lower area of the central panel (see Section iii.B).
22. Three fragments of inlays from central panel (Figures
V.79 – V.81)
ivory
largest fragment: l. 1 in. (2.6 cm), W. 5⁄8 in. (1.7 cm), thickness
.23 cm
Description. These are strips with small rectangular projections
below and with a hole at the center of each. The
reverse of the largest strip is covered with crisscross incisions.
a green ring caused by contact with bronze can be
seen around each hole and on the sides of the three projections,
on both the obverse and reverse. The diameter of the
shaft of a tiny cylindrical bronze pin (Figures V.79, V.80) seems
to fit the holes perfectly. The two smaller ivory fragments are
the outer halves of two other perforated projections.
Condition. The outer edges of the projections are well preserved
and do not present the crisscross incisions observed