This large pottery vessel was specially created as a funerary urn and once held the ashes of the deceased. Such urns were commonly deposited in chamber tombs that were rock-cut with niches to hold such containers. As cremation and inhumation were employed at the same time in funerary practices throughout Etruria, cinerary urns were sometimes found in the same tombs as sarcophagi. This example is decorated with raised horizontal double bands below the three loop handles that are applied to the shoulder as well as a raised single band above the low flaring foot. The matching lid has a large pointed knob finial and incised concentric rings around the shoulder.
Condition: Aside from the base being professionally reattached, the body is intact. The lid is complete, it has been rejoined but not restored so the cracks can be seen when examined closely. Overall the urn is in very good condition. It is a very good example that presents well.
Provenance: NJ private collection, acquired in the 1970s thereafter Egon Bernath private collection, NYC.
