ART 198 - HISTORY OF WORLD CERAMICS

Prior to Rome's ascendance to that of the most powerful city-state on the Italian peninsula during the 6th century BCE, the area, now known as Tuscany, near Florence was the most developed and powerful. These people, called the Villanovans were skilled metalworkers and potters, and they cremated their dead, and buried the ashes in urns. This is a typical example, wheel thrown, and assembled. The linear pattern was accomplished by sgraffito, and the unusual cornuta (literally, horned) handles make a bold statement, and were influenced by metalwork. The pot was fired in a smoky firing (reduction) which accounts for the black color of the piece.

Black Villanovan Vase with Cornuta handles and Sgraffito design Pre-Etruscan, 900 BCE, Italian peninsula, 15" ht.