Villanovan Impasto Kantharos with Openwork Handles

Culture: Villanova

Period: 750-700 B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 16 cm in diameter (incl. the handles); 8.5 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 4240

Provenance: From the Israeli private collection of Jacob Marcus, Jaffa. Most recently on the Israeli art market.

Condition: Minor chips to the rim, otherwise wonderfully preserved.

Description: Elaborately decorated and in this form exceptionally rare Villanovan kantharos. The vessel, made of reddish-brown clay, stands on a flattened base. The widely flaring body is decorated at its widest point with stamped sun symbols set between impressed cord bands. On the shoulder, tongue-shaped ornaments were pressed into the leather-hard clay, above which another band of sun symbols appears. Notable are the broad handles, each pierced with three openwork sections, extending from the rim to the middle of the body. In their lower portions, the handles are additionally perforated with circular openings and decorated with stamped sun stamps. The rim is drawn far outward and is smooth at the top. Probably from Falerii.