- chapter 37: Villanovan and Etruscan mining and metallurgy –
improve the strength and appearance of iron weapons, Etruscan blacksmiths applied the
technique of pattern welding by alternating different layers of iron during forging, as is
observed in a spear head of the fourth-third century bc from Montefi ascone (Panseri, Leoni
1967: 223). Iron was sometimes used to inlay bronze objects and thus obtain decorative
color effects: examples are some large Orientalizing belt clasps from the territory of Siena
(Camporeale 1985: 29) (Fig. 37.5).
Figure 37.3 Pair of Etruscan earrings in gold produced by repoussé (courtesy of the Museo Civico
Archeologico, Bologna).Figure 37.4 Fibula in gold decorated in granulation “a pulviscolo”; from Bologna, Arsenale Militare,
tomb 5 (courtesy of the Museo Civico Archeologico, Bologna).Figure 37.5 Orientalizing belt clasp in bronze with iron inlay; from Murlo (Siena).
Magnifi cation: ×6.5 (courtesy of Museo Preistorico-etnografi co “L. Pigorini,” Rome).