Oinochoe with Satyr

Oinochoe with Satyr

Bronze

A bronze flagon with a beaked spout (also known as a schnabelkanne), a type of Etruscan vessel that was frequently exported to Celtic areas of Europe. The Celts later developed their own versions of this shape, but this example is the standard Etruscan type, made in Central Italy, probably Vulci. It has a round body, tapering towards the base, with a high belly that curves around at the top to form a flat, narrow shoulder that slopes slightly upwards. The body turns out very slightly at the bottom forming a thickened bottom edge and the base is plain and flat with a central depression or omphalos showing where the flagon was fixed on a lathe while it was being spun into shape. There is a short, cylindrical neck that flares out at the top, ending in a flat rim, curving down to insert on the side of the body. The neck is set slightly asymmetrically on the body and is closer to the shoulder edge on the handle side. The flagon belongs to a sub-group with many decorative embellishments: the neck is decorated with engraved Greek-style floral patterns while the top of the rim has notched beaded patterns with incised seated felines (panthers?) in the angles where the rim turns out to form the spout. At the top, the curved handle side extensions on the rim end in small, crouching animals (felines/dogs?) while the attachment plate at the bottom takes the form of a frontal Silenus head. The latter is an unusual feature since various forms of palmette were the standard choice. However, similar Silenus heads are often found on Etruscan bronze stamnoi. The vase has been carefully restored (see Born). The surface is mainly shiny dark purplish-red with some damaged areas where it is rough and coloured blue-green. The base has a thicker incrustation formed into irregular small rounded lumps, and the layers on the rim have begun to separate near the inner corner angles where the spout begins. Function: used for pouring wine at banquets (see Athenaeus 4.36) and also buried with the dead for use in the afterlife. Decoration: A) The flat upper surface of the rim has three rows of notched beading running along it, separated by double incised lines that become one line where the rim is narrower towards the base of the spout. The outer row of beading extends over the edge. The incised felines (panthers?) in the corner angles are shown in profile, facing towards the centre, seated on their hindquarters with straight, short forelimbs and upright heads with open mouths. Ribs are incised on their bodies. B) An incised line runs around the middle of the neck. Below it hangs a chain of ivy leaves connected by loops with a central hanging lotus bud below the spout. The three ivy leaves on either side of the lotus bud are crossed with further incised lines. Above the incised line and below the spout is an upright palmette with a long central leaf, four smaller leaves on the right and three on the left. Tendrils scroll out to either side, ending in small palmettes, one with five leaves on the right and one with six or seven leaves (the upper ones are obscured by surface damage) on the left. C) The side edges of the handle are notched, forming a fine beaded pattern, and a raised, grooved ridge runs along its outer edge, diminishing in height towards the bottom. The beading continues along the top outer edge of the handle extensions that run along the top of the rim. The ends of the extensions are formed into simple, abstract animal shapes that are difficult to identify accurately. However, each is crouching low and has a large, domed head and a pointed snout, possibly felines or a dog or a puppy. The frontal Silenus head on the attachment plate has large almond-shaped eyes with curved eyebrows. Short, fine incised lines add more detail above the latter. Long animal ears point upwards on either side of his head. Parallel vertical lines crossed with short horizontal lines are used for his hair. His beard is similarly treated but the vertical lines are more wavy. He also has a large, curling moustache and a defined lower lip. His nose is obscured by a rivet used to secure the lower end of the handle.

Etruscan

Purchased from Jean-David Cahn AG, Basel, with funds from Mr K and Mrs V Heath, Brisbane, 2003.

500 - 450 BC

04.002

Purchased from Jean-David Cahn AG, Basel, 2003.
Sold by Münzen und Medaillen AG, Basel, Sale 22, No. 77, 1961.