Skyphos. Etruscan-Corinthian culture. 6th century BC.
Terracotta.
Provenance: Bengt Söderbergh collection (1925-2019), Cannes, France.
Good state of preservation
Measurements: 7.5 cm high; 15.5 cm diameter between handles.
Etruscan skyphos, decorated with synthesised bird and plant motifs in bands. Etruscan ceramics mainly used unglazed black earthenware (búcchero nero) and its ornamentation was originally geometric, incised by hand or punch on the oldest vessels, and sculptural or in relief on later vessels from the 6th century BC. The latter include most of them in the form of fish, masks, etc. or ending in the figure of a human head. In the present case, the influences between Etruria and Greece can be seen, with Corinth being a centre of its own production.
The skyphos is a deep wine cup, with two handles and a low, wide base, or without a base. The handles may be small and horizontal, projecting from the rim (in Corinthian and Athenian forms), or they may be loop-shaped, placed on the rim or protruding from the base.