Etruscan Pottery Plate, Type Genucilia

00
days
06
hours
41
minutes
32
seconds
Current bid
€ 190
Reserve price not met
Ruth Garrido Vila
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila

Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.

Estimate  € 550 - € 700
29 other people are watching this object
itBidder 9024 €190
itBidder 4630 €150
itBidder 4630 €82

Catawiki Buyer Protection

Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details

Trustpilot 4.4 | 122028 reviews

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

A pottery Genucilia plate from the Etruscan world, dating to the 4th century B.C., about 6 cm by 16 cm, with Certificate of Authenticity and an EU export license for trusted provenance.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

ITEM: Plate, Type Genucilia
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Etruscan
PERIOD: 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 60 mm x 160 mm diameter
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex Lakythos S.A.R.L (1987), Ex Galerie Hydra, Geneva, Switzerland (1984)

The Genucilia plate is a characteristic type of small, footed Etruscan ceramic plate produced in central Italy, primarily during the 4th century BCE. The name derives from a specific plate found with the painted inscription of its owner, "P. Genucilia," likely a Faliscan or Latin woman. These plates are examples of local Etruscan production that was heavily influenced by contemporary Greek pottery styles, particularly the highly prized red-figure technique. Though considered a mass-produced, "second-rate" ware by some scholars, they were exceptionally popular and were a widespread product across Etruria and Lazio.

The typical Genucilia plate is a shallow dish or patera, usually measuring about 14–16 cm in diameter, resting on a low stem and a wide foot. The decoration is limited to the circular central space, or tondo, and the rim. Two primary decorative motifs dominate the interior: either a stylized female head in profile facing left, or a geometric star/cross pattern with simple dots. The female head is often interpreted by scholars as representing a deity, possibly Proserpina (Persephone), due to the plate's frequent association with funerary and votive contexts.

The plates were executed using a simplified version of the red-figure technique, where the main design was left in the natural reddish color of the clay and outlined in black slip, with further details painted in black. A defining feature is the decorative border, typically a wave pattern (a spiral wave or meander) encircling the rim, which framed the central motif. Production of the Genucilia Group is thought to have begun in the city of Falerii (modern Civita Castellana), likely by an immigrant Athenian potter, before production shifted to major Etruscan centers like Caere (modern Cerveteri). They are frequently recovered from tombs and sanctuaries, suggesting they served a dual purpose as both inexpensive tableware and objects for religious offerings (agalmata).

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 Translate

ITEM: Plate, Type Genucilia
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Etruscan
PERIOD: 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 60 mm x 160 mm diameter
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex Lakythos S.A.R.L (1987), Ex Galerie Hydra, Geneva, Switzerland (1984)

The Genucilia plate is a characteristic type of small, footed Etruscan ceramic plate produced in central Italy, primarily during the 4th century BCE. The name derives from a specific plate found with the painted inscription of its owner, "P. Genucilia," likely a Faliscan or Latin woman. These plates are examples of local Etruscan production that was heavily influenced by contemporary Greek pottery styles, particularly the highly prized red-figure technique. Though considered a mass-produced, "second-rate" ware by some scholars, they were exceptionally popular and were a widespread product across Etruria and Lazio.

The typical Genucilia plate is a shallow dish or patera, usually measuring about 14–16 cm in diameter, resting on a low stem and a wide foot. The decoration is limited to the circular central space, or tondo, and the rim. Two primary decorative motifs dominate the interior: either a stylized female head in profile facing left, or a geometric star/cross pattern with simple dots. The female head is often interpreted by scholars as representing a deity, possibly Proserpina (Persephone), due to the plate's frequent association with funerary and votive contexts.

The plates were executed using a simplified version of the red-figure technique, where the main design was left in the natural reddish color of the clay and outlined in black slip, with further details painted in black. A defining feature is the decorative border, typically a wave pattern (a spiral wave or meander) encircling the rim, which framed the central motif. Production of the Genucilia Group is thought to have begun in the city of Falerii (modern Civita Castellana), likely by an immigrant Athenian potter, before production shifted to major Etruscan centers like Caere (modern Cerveteri). They are frequently recovered from tombs and sanctuaries, suggesting they served a dual purpose as both inexpensive tableware and objects for religious offerings (agalmata).

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 Translate

Details

Culture
Etruscan
Century/ Timeframe
4th Century B.C
Name of object
Plate, Type Genucilia
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
SpainVerified
6114
Objects sold
100%
protop

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.

Similar objects

For you in

Archaeology