- Claudio Giardino –
also left signifi cant evidence, as exhibited in the parade chariots from Castel San Mariano
(Perugia) and Monteleone di Spoleto where the decoration is made in repoussé, embossed
with the pattern beaten from the back of the sheet metal and fi nished on the front with the
chisel (see Chapter 41). Many objects, including fi bulae, were then fi nished by stamping,
by means of punches that imprinted the ornamental motif on the sheet metal (Fig. 37.3).
The Etruscans certainly excelled in fi ligree; they were especially expert in the
granulation technique, obtained by soldering tiny gold spheres onto a metal substrate:
it is considered that on the surface of a leech-fi bula from Tuscania were soldered about
25,000 beads of 0.12 mm diameter (Nestler, Formigli 1994: 15) (Fig. 37.4). To further
Figure 37.1 Pair of bronze statuettes (kore and kouros) made by lost-wax casting technique; from Monte
Acuto Ragazza (Bologna) (courtesy of the Museo Civico Archeologico, Bologna).
Figure 37.2 Engraving: Etruscan mirror known as the “Patera Cospiana”; from Arezzo (courtesy of the
Museo Civico Archeologico, Bologna).