ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Etruscan or Italic Breastplate, 7th Century BC

Small size protective shield also known as kardiophylax with two rows of decorative bosses.

Side sway geometric decoration in the field consisting of radiating lines and a zig-zag pattern.

This kind of small size disks have been often found in female burials and are considered an attribute of high rank women.

For a related item cf. fig. 220 in: Alessandro Nasso. I Bronzi Etruschi e Italici del Römisch Germanisches Zentralmuseum. Mainz 2003.

Appealing item with light and dark green patina. One boss broken through. A modern perforation at center reconstituted to a boss.

D. 10.3 cm (4 in)

Swiss art market

1200 USD