ETRUSCAN Cinerary (Funeral) Urn, North/Central Italy, 9th Century B.C.

Description

ETRUSCAN Cinerary (Funeral) Urn, North/Central Italy, 9
th
Century B.C.
Height:
12”
Width:
7 ½”
Depth:
9 ½”
Weight:
12 lbs 10.3 oz
This is an intriguing artifact, dating to the 9
th
century BC comes from north/central Italy.
It was acquired
from a private
Pasadena, California family.
The artifact is a double stacked funerary urn, used by the Villanovan/Etruscan people to hold the cremated remains of their dead.
The Villanovan people were the earliest phase of the Etruscan civilization. They were the earliest Iron Age culture of Central / Northern Italy.
This urn, in the form of a hut, is the closest we can get to “seeing” an Etruscan house, as these urns were always modelled on the local homes that would have stood in the region.
This urn is embellished with images of standing figures/arms raised and other geometrical/swirling patterns. Made from a coarse form of Etruscan clay, called “impasto” the urn would be placed in a vital area of a wealthy home—essentially venerating one’s ancestors.
The Etruscans were a pre-Roman people whose practical nature of solving domestic and political problems was inspirational to the Romans who eventually took over their culture and practices some.
This astonishing artifact would be at home in any domain.
Imagine a modern, sunlight structure with this piece as a centerpiece for inspiration and conversation.