Olpe Etruscan 5th century BC Bronze Height 22.5 cm and Diameter 18.5 cm PROVENANCE: Private collection F. C., Barcelona. Acquired in a private collection of Marvonne Chenel, south of France. Collected in 1980. CONDITION: Nice bronze color patina. Good state of preservation, only a restoration on the lower left side the edge of base. DESCRIPTION: The olpe, used a container for wine, is well-preserved with a green patina. The shape of this olpe is particularly distinctive, with the edge of its lip embellished in a reed design, a narrow neck that curves gracefully down to sloping shoulders, and a rounded body offset with a subtle indentation below, which defines the foot. The oinochoe’s wide body and broad, flat base served to provide the vessel with a low center of gravity and stable footing if placed on an uneven surface. The reeded handle of the vessel extends upward from the lip in an elegant curve and terminates on the broad side of the body in a roundel decorated with decorated with a vegetable rosette, made up of petals that converge in a central sphere, made in high relief. Made of relatively expensive bronze, rather than ceramic, metal jugs like this example were probably part of the tableware owned by wealthy or aristocratic individuals. Utilitarian vessels for the serving of wine, like this Etruscan olpe, were popular in the classical world beginning in the early Geometric period. Olpai and oinochoai were used to transfer wine from the large krater (mixing bowl) because wine in antiquity, due to its high alcohol content, was usually mixed with water in a krater to create a less powerful beverage. They were very popular in symposia. Different models of this jug were exported all around the Mediterranean, particularly to Italy, and as can be seen with this example, they were assimilated into the Etruscan culture. The general shape of the vessel continued for centuries and well into the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Etruscan art received direct influences from figurative Greek art, fundamentally as concerned the conception of the human body and naturalist depictions. This can be seen clearly in the wide production of terracotta sculpture from the 6th century BC and in the fresh colours used to decorate necropolis. Notes: - The piece includes authenticity certificate. - The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union). - According to Spanish legislation, items sent outside the European Union are subject to export taxes and will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: - Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. - From 6.001 to 60.000 euros: 10%. - From 60.001 to 600.000 euros: 20%. This export permit application process can take between 1-2 months maximum. - The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki. THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE FROM SPAIN ASKS ALL SELLERS FOR INVOICES OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION ABLE TO PROVE THE LEGALITY OF EACH ITEM BEFORE PROVIDING AN IMPORT OR EXPORT LICENSE. #ancientcivilisations