ITEM: Kantharos
MATERIAL: Pottery, Bucchero-ware
CULTURE: Etruscan
PERIOD: 6th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 113 mm x 154 mm x 105 mm
CONDITION: Good condition, repaired
PROVENANCE: Ex Austrian private collection, acquired between 1960 - 1990

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

The Etruscan kantharos was a distinctive type of drinking cup that held both practical and symbolic significance in Etruscan culture. Characterized by its tall, narrow body and two high looped handles, the kantharos was typically made from ceramic, bronze, or, in rarer instances, precious metals. This vessel form, which was also common in Greek pottery, was designed for drinking wine and was likely used in both everyday settings and formal banquets or ritual gatherings. The presence of kantharoi in Etruscan tombs suggests that they were seen as essential items for the afterlife, perhaps due to their association with social rituals and feasting. Often elaborately decorated with geometric patterns, mythological scenes, or figures from Etruscan religion, these vessels reflected the Etruscans' appreciation for artistic detail and skilled craftsmanship.

In addition to their role in dining and socializing, kantharoi held symbolic associations with Dionysus (Bacchus in Roman mythology), the god of wine, ecstasy, and fertility. In Etruscan culture, which borrowed and adapted many elements from Greek religious beliefs, the kantharos likely carried connotations of divine pleasure, transformation, and the connection between mortals and the gods. The Etruscans viewed wine as a sacred drink with the power to transcend the everyday and bring participants closer to the divine realm. Consequently, the kantharos became more than just a drinking vessel; it embodied the concept of wine as a bridge to spiritual experience. This symbolism can be seen in Etruscan artwork, where figures are often shown holding or drinking from kantharoi in what appear to be ritualistic or celebratory contexts.

Kantharoi discovered in Etruscan tombs and archaeological sites offer valuable insights into Etruscan social customs, artistic techniques, and cultural exchanges with the Greek world. Many Etruscan kantharoi display Greek-inspired iconography, revealing the influence of Greek artisanship and mythology on Etruscan pottery.