- chapter 53: The meanings of bucchero –
is maintained. However, the handles are now wider and support molded relief fi gures of
the “Mistress of Animals” (Fig. 53.9b) whose head is buttressed by wide, vertical fl anges
that curve down the outside of each handle.^35 The bowl’s rim now fl ares and undulates in
a decidedly baroque manner. Below the deep carination on each side is a frieze of three
molded protomes depicting a sphinx or siren. Vases of this sort are especially associated
with workshops in Chiusi and probably date to the second half of the sixth century
bc. A very similar decorative format, but often with crouching lions rather than sphinx
protomes or other variations, is employed on contemporaneous bucchero pesante kyathoi,
chalices (Fig. 53.10), goblets and oinochoai.
A highly-unusual jug in the shape of a siren (Fig. 53.11) illustrates the fanciful and
imaginative virtuosity of many bucchero pesante artisans.^36 Conventional elements include
the trefoil spout and strap handle with strut. Everything else is atypical: the large smiling
Figure 53.10 Bucchero pesante chalice from Orvieto, circa 550–500 bc. (Antiquities Collection,
American Academy in Rome, inv. 285.) Drawing by R. De Puma.Figure 53.11 Bucchero pesante jug, provenance unknown, probably Chiusi, circa 550–500 bc.
(Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inv. 18.145.25.) Drawing adapted from E. Camerini, Il
bucchero etrusco (Rome: Gruppo Archeologico Romano, 1985), pl. XXXIX, 2.