Lot 35H
Italy, Etruria, Italic/Samnite, ca. 4th century BCE. Made of hammered sheet, this is a thin bronze belt perforated along its top and bottom edges for attaching leather or cloth lining. At its clasp are two solid bronze, cast, abstract human figures - probably nude women - with wolf heads. The top of each head is bent over to form a hook that fits through a series of six wider perforations, forming an adjustable clasp. The style of the clasps may indicate that it was manufactured at the city of Tarentum (now Taranto) in southern Italy. Size as shown (not stretched out, to prevent damage to the bronze): 12.6" W x 2.8" H (32 cm x 7.1 cm)
The wolf-headed figures immediately remind us of the story of Romulus and Remus, legendary founders of Rome supposedly suckled by an unnamed but still famous she-wolf. Although the Capitoline Wolf, a famous depiction of this foundation myth, has since been disproven to be Etruscan (it seems more likely that it is medieval), we know that the Lupa capitolina, the seal of Rome, came from Etruscan wolf mythology. The animal seems to have functioned in the Etruscan religion as a psychopomp, a guide to the world of the dead. Given that many of these belts are found in graves, it is unclear if they were made only to be worn in death - with the wolf heads symbolizing the final journey of the wearer - or if these people were being buried in their usual clothing.
See a very similar example from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1991.171.50).
Provenance: private Swiss collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#124128
- Condition: Small losses to edges, with green and brown patina over surface. Clasp figures in excellent condition and can be easily moved.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |