Villanovan Impasto Vessel

An ancient Villanovan black impasto ware vessel with a ribbed surface, ‘nipples’ on each side, and twisted loop handles.

Northern Italy.

Ca. 8th - 7th century BC.

Width: 5 in. (13 cm).

The so-called Villanovans (named after a modern town near Bologna) were the early Iron Age predecessors of the Etruscans. They are thought to have settled the area of Etruria, roughly modern Tuscany, in the 11th century BC. By the fourth century BC the Villanovans were assimilated by the Etruscans and overcome by the neighboring Gauls.

cf.: I. Jucker, Italy of the Etruscans, (Mainz, 1991), p. 156, no. 180-181.

Formerly in the Mahoney collection, Maryland, acquired in the late 19th century.

Inv#: 5058

Guaranteed Authentic

$950