The images you'll see as you scroll down to the current text are all part of the story telling in my novel, Realms of Gold:Ritual to Romance.


Bianca Caldwell, pen name, Bianca Fiore, is a writer for an art magazine. In each of her monthly stories she describes an object used in ancient ritual.

Etruscan Chariot: Detail

 It was found in 1902 in Monteleone di Spoleto near Spoleto in the province of Perugia of Umbria, by a farmer named Isidoro Vannozzi who inadvertently unearthed it while digging a wine cellar. 

Because the museum's acquisition of the chariot in 1903 predates by six years Italy's first laws restricting export of items that carry "cultural and artistic values," the chariot's sale was legal at the time of purchase, though debated by the contemporary press. 

The principle subjects on the three parts of the chariot box refer to the life of a hero, most likely Achilles. In the center, Achilles receives armor from Thetis, his mother.







On one side, he engages in combat with another hero, possibly Memnon; on the other side, he appears in a chariot drawn by winged horses. While the style and subject of the reliefs look to Greek art and myth, the treatment of the scenes is thoroughly Etruscan.

 


Etruscan; From Monteleone, Italy Bronze H. 51 1/2 in. (130.8 cm) Rogers Fund, 1903

Etruscan Chariot, Late 6th Century B.C.


The Monteleone chariot is an Etruscan chariot dated to c. 530 BC. It was originally uncovered at Monteleone di Spoleto and is currently part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Though about 300 ancient chariots are known to still exist, only six are reasonably complete, and the Monteleone chariot is the best-preserved and most complete of all known surviving examples. 

Carlos Picón, curator of the museum's Greek and Roman department, has called it "the grandest piece of sixth-century Etruscan bronze anywhere in the world.

Although chariots are frequently represented in all forms of ancient art, they were no longer used in warfare by the sixth century B.C.; rather, the scenes in which they appear refer to an earlier, mythological period. This chariot was found in a tomb in Monteleone, Italy, and probably saw little actual use before it was buried with its owner.

Although chariots are frequently represented in all forms of ancient art, they were no longer used in warfare by the sixth century B.C.; rather, the scenes in which they appear refer to an earlier, mythological period. This chariot was found in a tomb in Monteleone, Italy, and probably saw little actual use before it was buried with its owner. 
 
Etruscan bronze chariot inlaid with ivory, 2nd quarter of 6th century BCE. Found near Monteleone di Spoleto in 1902; with scenes of Achilles (6) Photographed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York.


It is exceptional for its state of preservation and exquisite hammered relief decoration. The pole of the chariot issues from the head of a boar and ends in the head of a beaked bird.

Monteleone chariot unearthed in Perugia, dated 530 BC.

Close up on the wheel of the chariot.




Etruscan; From Monteleone, Italy
Bronze
H. 51 1/2 in. (130.8 cm)
Rogers Fund, 1903 (03.23.1)

A PAIR OF ETRUSCAN GOLD A BAULE EARRINGS CIRCA 5TH CENTURY B.C.



Each composed of a rectangular sheet formed into a partial cylinder, the ends terminating in a casing inset with a silver pin for attachment of the arched earwire (one missing), each with a lunate extension fringed with undulating ribbon, enclosing a repoussé figure of a bird, one facing left, one facing right, beneath a filigree and granulated series of arches, a sheet petal and granulated rosette on either side of the bird, granulated petals rimmed with plain wire below, the front section of the cylinder with three rows of three compartments divided by ribbon, each enclosing a sheet petal rosette, the corner rosettes with small figures of birds, the remaining with a raised boss rimmed by twisted wires, with dot centers surrounded by twisted wire, the central rosette with four additional granulated petals rimmed with plain wire, the back section of the cylinder divided from the front by five ribbon volutes and a twisted wire, with three filigree plants separated by twisted wire, filigree tongues at each end, each tongue terminating in a granulated ball, the sides of the cylinders with spiraled plain wire rimmed with twisted wire, one side of each with a palmette, the leaves with granulation rimmed with plain wire


Provenance
European Private Collection, 1970s.
with Fortuna Fine Arts, New York.
The Estate of Neil F. Phillips, Esq., Q.C.; Christie's, New York, 18 December 1997, lot 245.

Etruscan Gold Necklace




A 5th to 4th century BCE Etruscan necklace. This ancient Etruscan object is now displayed at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Etruscan Gold From The Burial of an Adrysian

An Etruscan golden wreath and ring from the burial of an Odrysian (Thracian) aristocrat at the Golyamata Mogila tumulus, mid-4th century BC, National Historic Museum of Bugaria.

Photo by Ann Wuyts.

Etruscan Gold Bracelets - British Museum Collection

Etruscan (675-650 BC). Pair of gold bracelets with granulation and embossed panels. The themes of the figured panels derive from Phoenician motifs.

Etruscan Gold Strap Necklaces - Bristish Museum Collection

Gold Etruscan strap necklaces from the Tuscan Maremma (6th century BC). The first one of plaited wire and suspended chains, beads, rosettes, acorns, lotus flowers and buds. The second necklace is hung with the heads of a river-god, sirens, flowers, buds, scarabs and settings for onix gems and amber.

Etruscan Gold Rings - British Museum Collection

Etruscan gold rings (350-300 BC) with a plain agate (N15), an onix scarab (N16), and an engraved cornelian (N16, 17)

Etruscan Gold Earrings - British Museum Collection

Etruscan earrings (300-200 BC). Pair of gold earrings (N3), the hollow hoops embossed with palmettes and decorated with wire rosettes. Gold earring (N4), the hoop covered  by a plate with bosses and globules; pendant female head and chains. Pair of gold earrings (N5), the discs with rosettes and a pendant vase embossed with floral designs.


Etruscan Gold: Ear-Studs - British Museum Collection

Etruscan Gold  ear-studs (6th century BC), richly decorated with filigree, granulation and inlay.


Etruscan Gold wreath

Etruscan Gold wreath of ivy leaves and a central stylized cluster of ivy berries.