Details
AN ETRUSCAN BRONZE THYMIATERION
CIRCA EARLY 3RD CENTURY B.C.
Solid cast in separate parts, the tripod base formed of three leonine legs, the paws resting on molded bases, the upper part of each leg protruding from the open beak of a griffin head, with pendant palmettes at the juncture of each leg, the tripod supporting a girl upon a plinth ornamented with tongues on the sides, standing with her weight on her left leg, the right bent at the knee, both arms lowered, nude but for a mantle falling behind, balancing upon her head a tall cylindrical shaft that emerges from acanthus, a feline and a cockerel adorning the shaft, an incense bowl above with a bird at each corner (one missing), suspension loops below once supporting chains with pendants, three incised Etruscan dedicatory inscriptions in Greek letters in retrograde along the shaft between the feline and cockerel, on the girl's body and on one of the tripod legs, repeating, suthina, "for the dead"
18 7/8 in. (47.9 cm.) high
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