ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Etrusco-Corinthian Human-Mask Mug, Follower of the Maschera Umana Group, around 550 BC

Rare single-handled mug with a human face on the body.

The decoration to the sides shows a couple of winged panthers with merged head, and the very rare depiction of a rooster merged (?) to the head of a winged panther.

The decoration is more elaborate than that of the Maschera Umana Group, which was active in Vulci.

The panthers are reminiscent of Szilágyi's fig. 102a, which is cautiously listed under the section "Bottega Locale a Veio?"

The present vase may support the assumption that a branch of late Etrusco-Corinthian production shifted from Vulci to Veii.

H. 8.3 cm (3.3 in), D. rim 10.1 cm (4 in), W. over handle 13 cm (5.1 in)

Reconstituted from fragments, applied decoration slightly worn in places. Rare example.

Ex US collection E. W., acquired over the past 40 years.

4500 USD
 

Literature:
J.G. Szilágyi. Ceramica Etrusco-Corinzia Figurata. Parte II, 590/580-550 a.C. Firenze 1998.
D.F. Maras, F. Bubenheimer-Erhart. "Human-Mask Mugs: Egyptian Models for Etruscan and Roman Craftsmanship", in: Rendiconti della Pontificia Accademia Romana di Archeologia 88, 2016, pp. 51-106.