Villanovan / Early Etruscan Pottery Kyathos
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 550 - € 700
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Kyathos, a pottery vessel from the Villanovan / Early Etruscan culture, dating to the 8th–7th century BC, with dimensions 118 mm by 145 mm, in good condition with a small lip flaw, acquired in 2025 from a private collection in the Netherlands, comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and an EU export license.
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Description from the seller
ITEM: Kyathos
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Villanovan / Early Etruscan
PERIOD: 8th - 7th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 118 mm x 145 mm
CONDITION: Good condition, small flaw on the lip
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex ALARA S.P.R.L (1976), Ex F.K. collection, 1972 - 1976
The Villanovan kyathos is a type of vessel associated with the early Iron Age Villanovan culture in Italy, often considered the precursor to the Etruscans. The kyathos is a ladle-like drinking or pouring vessel, typically characterized by a deep, rounded bowl and a single high handle. These vessels were crafted primarily from bronze or clay and often featured incised geometric patterns or simple decorations that were stylistically distinct from later Etruscan and Greek pottery. The function of the kyathos likely ranged from daily utility in communal drinking practices to ceremonial use, underscoring the Villanovans' social customs and their early development of metalworking and pottery skills.
Villanovan kyathoi (plural for kyathos) reveal significant information about the culture's technological advancements and societal structures. Early examples were often handmade and display the Villanovans’ proficiency in bronze-casting and clay firing. The vessel's form and decoration evolved over time, reflecting increasing contact with neighboring cultures. The designs often included geometric motifs, such as lines, triangles, and zigzags, which were likely symbolic or had aesthetic significance. These decorative elements highlight how Villanovan artisans began to develop a unique artistic language that would later influence Etruscan art and the broader Italian peninsula's material culture.
The discovery of Villanovan kyathoi in burial contexts, particularly in elite graves, suggests their role in funerary practices. Placing vessels like the kyathos in tombs likely symbolized the deceased's status or role in society, as well as beliefs about the afterlife and the continuation of feasting or drinking rituals. Such artifacts also indicate the Villanovan society’s early connections to Mediterranean trade networks, as they show similarities to contemporary vessels from other regions, such as Greece.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and European Union export license
If you bid outside European Union and win the item, we must request a new export license to your country and the shipment will delay between 3 - 5 weeks.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateITEM: Kyathos
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Villanovan / Early Etruscan
PERIOD: 8th - 7th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 118 mm x 145 mm
CONDITION: Good condition, small flaw on the lip
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex ALARA S.P.R.L (1976), Ex F.K. collection, 1972 - 1976
The Villanovan kyathos is a type of vessel associated with the early Iron Age Villanovan culture in Italy, often considered the precursor to the Etruscans. The kyathos is a ladle-like drinking or pouring vessel, typically characterized by a deep, rounded bowl and a single high handle. These vessels were crafted primarily from bronze or clay and often featured incised geometric patterns or simple decorations that were stylistically distinct from later Etruscan and Greek pottery. The function of the kyathos likely ranged from daily utility in communal drinking practices to ceremonial use, underscoring the Villanovans' social customs and their early development of metalworking and pottery skills.
Villanovan kyathoi (plural for kyathos) reveal significant information about the culture's technological advancements and societal structures. Early examples were often handmade and display the Villanovans’ proficiency in bronze-casting and clay firing. The vessel's form and decoration evolved over time, reflecting increasing contact with neighboring cultures. The designs often included geometric motifs, such as lines, triangles, and zigzags, which were likely symbolic or had aesthetic significance. These decorative elements highlight how Villanovan artisans began to develop a unique artistic language that would later influence Etruscan art and the broader Italian peninsula's material culture.
The discovery of Villanovan kyathoi in burial contexts, particularly in elite graves, suggests their role in funerary practices. Placing vessels like the kyathos in tombs likely symbolized the deceased's status or role in society, as well as beliefs about the afterlife and the continuation of feasting or drinking rituals. Such artifacts also indicate the Villanovan society’s early connections to Mediterranean trade networks, as they show similarities to contemporary vessels from other regions, such as Greece.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and European Union export license
If you bid outside European Union and win the item, we must request a new export license to your country and the shipment will delay between 3 - 5 weeks.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Villanovan / Early Etruscan
Century/ Timeframe
8th - 7th Century B.C
Name of object
Kyathos
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Pottery
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
