Villanovan Impasto Ware Pithos

An ancient Villanovan large impasto ware footed pithos with a ribbed body and a band of stamped relief plaques around shoulder; each depicts a horseman with the Sun in the upper left corner.

Northern Italy.

Ca. 6th century BC.

Height: 19 3/4 in. (50.1 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.

Formerly in a Connecticut private collection; Christie’s, London, July 7, 1993, lot 57.

Inv#: 8141

Guaranteed Authentic

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