Etruscan Red Carnelian Scaraboid with Archery Intaglio

Bulbous bodied with a rounded base, slender cylindrical neck, trumpet-shaped rim and integral handle, decorated with incised circumferential bands, hatched triangles and chevrons; accompanied by an acrylic display base. 388 grams, 18 cm high



Acquired in the 1990s. From the deceased estate of a North Yorkshire private collector, UK. Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK.

Red burnished-ware pottery became the dominant pottery ware lasting into the Middle Bronze Age on the island of Cyprus. Vessels were handmade and covered with a slip, which was burnished and often decorated with patterns incised with a sharp cutting edge before being fired. Potters were able to produce vessels that were either mottled or painted in two colours, often red outside and black inside and on the exterior of the rim.

Black burnished ceramic urn with conical lower body, two flared loop handles, bell-shaped upper body and flat everted rim; band of incised chevrons to the equator, horizontal linear bands and ropework key patterns; one handle restored. 2 kg, 25 cm high



Ex private Orange Country collection. with Ancient Resources Auctions, Auction 34, 14 September 2014, lot 246. Accompanied by a detailed collector's catalogue pages including description and photograph.

Such urns were often deposited with the cremated remains inside, one handle broken off (perhaps part of the funerary rites) and in some case a bronze crested helmet placed over the top of the urn.

Each penannular in form with decoratively twisted body; one terminating in a lions' head, the other with the head of a woman wearing a necklace. 2.46 grams total, 18 mm each



Acquired 1970-2010. Collection of a late Japanese gentleman.