CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.

Details

AN ETRUSCAN TERRACOTTA CINERARY URN
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.
The front of the rectangular urn molded with the fratricide of Eteocles and Polyneices, both heroes armed, one lunging to the right, the other down on his bent right knee, his shield held high and his helmet fallen to the ground, a draped winged goddess, presumably Vanth, standing on either side, the scene framed by fluted pilasters on the corners and a border of ovolo above, the lid with the deceased reclining to her left, her head resting on two pillows; preserving traces of red on the helmets, shields, kilts and shoulders of the two main figures and the pilasters
17 3/8 in. (44.1 cm.) wide

Provenance

Gift of Mr. Horace Morison, Boston, 1958.

Special notice

No sales tax is due on the purchase price of this lot if it is picked up or delivered in the State of New York.

Lot Essay

Eteocles and Polyneices were the sons of Oedipus, King of Thebes, and Jocasta. Following the exile of their father, it was agreed that they would share the kingdom by reigning in alternate years. When Eteocles finished his year he refused to relinquish the throne to his brother. Polyneices fled to Argos, whose king agreed to assist him in reclaiming the Theban throne ("The Seven Against Thebes"). During the ensuing battle, the brothers slew each other.

The scene was popular on Etruscan cinerary urns during the Hellenistic Period and was perhaps inspired by the tragedy by Euripides. For another terracotta urn molded with the same scene, see no. IV-34 in Bonfante, ed., Etruscan Life and Afterlife.

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