Etruscan Pottery Chalice, Spanish Export License.
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 600 - € 750
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Description from the seller
ITEM: Chalice
MATERIAL: Pottery, Bucchero ware
CULTURE: Etruscan
PERIOD: 7th - 6th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 143 mm x 150 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex Lakythos S.A.R.L (1987), Ex Galerie Hydra, Geneva, Switzerland (1984)
PARALLEL: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Accession number 84.66.223
Etruscan pottery is best known for its distinctive Bucchero ware, a type of ceramic fabric that is uniformly black from surface to core, often burnished to a high, almost metallic sheen. Produced primarily between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE, this characteristic black color was achieved by a specialized firing process called reduction, where the oxygen supply in the kiln was deliberately restricted. This technique chemically altered the iron oxide in the clay from its natural reddish state to a ferrous oxide, resulting in the lustrous black appearance that beautifully imitated the costly imported metal vessels—particularly silver—prized by the Etruscan elite.
Bucchero ware evolved through distinct phases. The earliest and most technically refined is the Bucchero sottile (fine bucchero), dating from the 7th to early 6th century BCE, characterized by its remarkably thin, delicate walls, and decoration that was primarily incised (cut into the soft clay) with simple geometric patterns or stylized animals. Over time, this gave way to the heavier, thicker-walled Bucchero pesante (heavy bucchero). This later style, appearing from the mid-6th century BCE onward, featured more elaborate, mold-applied relief decoration, often incorporating figurative scenes or friezes that were sometimes inspired by Oriental and early Greek artistic motifs.
In addition to Bucchero, Etruscan potters produced a variety of other ceramic styles, heavily influenced by imported Greek pottery. They initially created local versions of Impasto (a coarse, handmade ware from the earlier Villanovan culture), and later developed their own versions of Greek painted vessels, such as Etrusco-Corinthian and imitation Black-Figure and Red-Figure techniques. These painted wares typically showcased scenes adapted from Greek mythology or local Etruscan life. Regardless of style, Etruscan vessels—including common shapes like the kantharos (a deep drinking cup), oinochoe (jug), and amphora (storage jar)—were frequently found in funerary contexts, serving as grave goods to accompany the deceased.
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: Chalice
MATERIAL: Pottery, Bucchero ware
CULTURE: Etruscan
PERIOD: 7th - 6th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 143 mm x 150 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex Lakythos S.A.R.L (1987), Ex Galerie Hydra, Geneva, Switzerland (1984)
PARALLEL: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Accession number 84.66.223
Etruscan pottery is best known for its distinctive Bucchero ware, a type of ceramic fabric that is uniformly black from surface to core, often burnished to a high, almost metallic sheen. Produced primarily between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE, this characteristic black color was achieved by a specialized firing process called reduction, where the oxygen supply in the kiln was deliberately restricted. This technique chemically altered the iron oxide in the clay from its natural reddish state to a ferrous oxide, resulting in the lustrous black appearance that beautifully imitated the costly imported metal vessels—particularly silver—prized by the Etruscan elite.
Bucchero ware evolved through distinct phases. The earliest and most technically refined is the Bucchero sottile (fine bucchero), dating from the 7th to early 6th century BCE, characterized by its remarkably thin, delicate walls, and decoration that was primarily incised (cut into the soft clay) with simple geometric patterns or stylized animals. Over time, this gave way to the heavier, thicker-walled Bucchero pesante (heavy bucchero). This later style, appearing from the mid-6th century BCE onward, featured more elaborate, mold-applied relief decoration, often incorporating figurative scenes or friezes that were sometimes inspired by Oriental and early Greek artistic motifs.
In addition to Bucchero, Etruscan potters produced a variety of other ceramic styles, heavily influenced by imported Greek pottery. They initially created local versions of Impasto (a coarse, handmade ware from the earlier Villanovan culture), and later developed their own versions of Greek painted vessels, such as Etrusco-Corinthian and imitation Black-Figure and Red-Figure techniques. These painted wares typically showcased scenes adapted from Greek mythology or local Etruscan life. Regardless of style, Etruscan vessels—including common shapes like the kantharos (a deep drinking cup), oinochoe (jug), and amphora (storage jar)—were frequently found in funerary contexts, serving as grave goods to accompany the deceased.
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
Etruscan
Century/ Timeframe
7th - 6th Century B.C
Name of object
Spanish Export License., Chalice
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.
