Etruscan urn, Ex MUSEUM

Etruscan urn, Ex MUSEUM
ITEM: Urn
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Etruria
PERIOD: 6th - 5th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 100 mm x 100 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Museum Exhibiton of the Arbeitsgruppe für Biblische Archäologie, Germany (Deaccession)

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

These urns were primarily used to store the cremated remains of the deceased and varied in design based on region and time period. Early examples, especially from the Villanovan culture (9th–8th centuries BCE), were often simple biconical vessels with lids resembling helmets, reflecting a warrior ethos. Over time, more elaborate urns appeared, particularly in Etruscan cities like Chiusi and Volterra, where sculpted lids depicted reclining figures, a practice that anticipated later sarcophagi traditions.

By the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE, Etruscan urns had evolved into highly decorative and individualized objects. Many featured relief carvings illustrating mythological narratives, battles, or scenes from the afterlife, often influenced by Greek artistic styles. The lids, which frequently portrayed the deceased in a relaxed pose, emphasized the Etruscan belief in an afterlife similar to earthly existence. These urns, made from materials such as terracotta, alabaster, and travertine, showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of Etruscan artisans, particularly in Volterra, where mass production of alabaster urns became common.

Etruscan funerary urns also serve as important historical records, shedding light on social status, family lineage, and religious beliefs. Inscriptions found on many urns provide names and genealogical information, helping scholars reconstruct Etruscan language and society. The influence of Etruscan urns can even be seen in later Roman funerary practices, as the Romans absorbed and adapted many Etruscan artistic and ritualistic traditions.

Measurement:

10 x 10 cm