ETRUSCAN ITALIC MUSEUM

Bronze Tripod

Being restored thanks to the generosity of the Massachussets Chapter

This piece is a representation of the work carried out by bronze workers from the Etruscan town of Vulci in archaic times.  A vase shaped piece  stands on legs fused together and  adorned with rich decorative motifs such as  palmettes, lotus flowers, and spirals in relief.

Six ancient Roman vases

Being restored thanks to the generosity of the California Chapter

These six ancient Roman vases constitute an interesting collection covering a period of over five centuries. They are all made of bronze but each vase has a peculiar shape and use and are different in shape and use. There is a beautiful oinochoe, a jug exclusively used for pouring wine during the “symposium” (IV century A.D). Two askos, small jugs in the shape of goatskins, from the II-I century B.C. A small oil lamp in the shape of a bull from the I century A.D.

Regolini Galassi Tomb

The Regolini Galassi Tomb was found in 1836 during archaeological excavations in Cerveteri. The Regolini Galassi represents one of the richest burial sites in Etruria and in the whole Eastern Mediterranean region. This tomb is the burial site of a king from the ancient Etruscan city of Caere, and holds a rich variety of gold, silver and bronze artefacts related to complex ceremonial and symbolic rituals. During this period, christened as orientalizing, many cultural and artistic elements of different origins coexisted in Etruria and in the entire Mediterranean region. Particularly significant are a series of eleven bronze ribbed paterae, originally placed along the cell walls of the tomb. These ceremonial vases of oriental origin were used in the entombment rituals of the royal class. The presence of ribbed paterae in the tombs of Etruscan aristocratic figures has various symbolic meanings such as the indication of social ranking or the realization of regal banquets in honor of the dead and their ancestors. In the same tomb, archaeologists also found both phiale and a bronze basin. The phiale is an antique ceremonial vase used in the Ancient Orient and Mediterranean during the Bronze Age. In fact, it was manufactured in the north part of Syria, Assyria, in Fenice and in Cyprus before reaching Italy and the Iberian Peninsula during the VII century B.C. The bronze basin, of simple biconical appearance and receding borders, is part of the rich collection of bronze vases that accompanied the most antique burial location of the Regolini Galassi Tomb. This fascinating variety of grave-goods is tied to the ceremonial banquet adopted by Etruscan princes regal courts, closely associated to the model of an ideal heroic Greek legacy, handed down through Homers narratives and composed during the same years in which this tomb was dated, while being centered on past endeavors.

Lebete with tripod from the Regolini Galassi tomb

Being restored thanks to the generosity of Mr. And Mrs Scibelli, California Chapter

Eleven Bronze Ribbed Paterae from the Regolini Galassi tomb

Being restored thanks to the generosity of Mr amd Mrs Petrosky, Pennsylvania Chapter

Ten Bronze Basins from the Regolini Galassi tomb

This restoration project is being made possible thanks to various individual Patrons of the Arts

Bronze Basin from the Regolini Galassi tomb

This restoration project is being made possible thanks to various individual Patrons of the Arts