Laura Nazim Tanzende Satyrn. Ein etruskisch polychrom bemaltes Gefäss aus Grab 454 in Monte Abatone

    

Dancing satyrs. An Etruscan polychromatic painted vase from Tomb 454 on Monte Abatone

Etruscan polychromatic vases are a rare type of pottery found in Etruria. This paper presents a previously unpublished polychromatic vase. It’s decorated with a scene of satyrs dancing in the woods. The find comes from Tomb 454 on the Monte Abatone necropolis of the Etruscan city of Caere. The piece is a stand for a small dinos or amphora and dates to around 500–480 BCE. Polychromatic stands in general seem to have been produced locally in Caere, as were the few other examples from the Banditaccia necropolis and the Tolfa region. They have always been defined as measuring cups. The example from Lerici Tomb 454 is exceptional. Among the colours used to decorate the vase there’s vermillion and Egyptian blue. Gold leaf, used to pick out certain details, is visible under the microscope. The technique and motifs are reminiscent of tomb paintings in Tarquinia and painted clay plates from Caere.