Etruria was rich in metal ores. Besides the raw material, their bronze products – especially vessels which, compared to pottery, were regarded as luxury items – were in high demand even outside Etruria. Jugs with a beaked spout (1) were exported beyond the Alps in large quantities from the end of the 6th century BC. Vessel ornaments depicting Greek mythological figures (2–4) also bear witness to northbound Etruscan commerce: they were found in the tomb of a Celtic nobleman in today’s Bad Dürkheim in Germany.
Greek art often served as a model for Etruscan bronze workers. The treatment of the human head on the vessel handle (5), and the posture of the youth decorating the stylus (6) follow representations of the Archaic period, while the dancing figure on the candelabra (7) illustrates the influence of Greek classical sculpture in Etruria. These Etruscan candelabra were also popular in Athens, where they were used at evening symposia.
Characteristic genres of Etruscan bronze working are also represented by the mirror with incised decoration (8), and the so-called kreagra (9), the function of which we can only guess: it may have been a torch-holder or used as a skewer for roasting sacrificial meat. The influence of Etruscan bronze working in the modern era is attested by objects created after ancient Etruscan models (10).
Greek art often served as a model for Etruscan bronze workers. The treatment of the human head on the vessel handle (5), and the posture of the youth decorating the stylus (6) follow representations of the Archaic period, while the dancing figure on the candelabra (7) illustrates the influence of Greek classical sculpture in Etruria. These Etruscan candelabra were also popular in Athens, where they were used at evening symposia.
Characteristic genres of Etruscan bronze working are also represented by the mirror with incised decoration (8), and the so-called kreagra (9), the function of which we can only guess: it may have been a torch-holder or used as a skewer for roasting sacrificial meat. The influence of Etruscan bronze working in the modern era is attested by objects created after ancient Etruscan models (10).
1. Jug with beaked spout, 475–425 BC
2. Ornaments from a vessel stand: Heracles and Hera. From Bad Dürkheim, early 5th century BC
3. Ornaments from a vessel stand: the Dioskouroi. From Bad Dürkheim, early 5th century BC
4. Handle ornament of a stamnos: youth on winged hippocampus. From Bad Dürkheim, early 5th century BC
5. Handle of a vessel with lion- and human head, 550–525 BC
6. Stylus, 500–475 BC
7. Candelabra with dancing youth, 450–425
8. Mirror with incised decoration, 350–300 BC
9. Kreagra, 450–350 BC
10. Mirror with incised decoration, modern
11. Perfume bottle in the shape of a female head, 3rd–2nd centuries BC
12. Oenochoe with lion- and mondkey-headed handle, 550–525 BC
13. Cista with panther, 4th–3rd centuries BC