Nuove proposte di attribuzione a specifici ambiti produttivi per il dinos di Amandola e per la ba... more Nuove proposte di attribuzione a specifici ambiti produttivi per il dinos di Amandola e per la base tripode ad esso associata
In the Greek bronze vessels from the Archaic and Classical periods, basins certainly are the most... more In the Greek bronze vessels from the Archaic and Classical periods, basins certainly are the most widespread shape, with a high number of formal and ornamental variants, in particular in the handles. Among these, of particular interest are some specimens in the shape of a lion in an elongated position or, in a simpler form, with only the attachment decorated with a lion’s protome. Two unpublished pieces from the Sanctuary of the Sorgente at Saturo (Ta) offer the opportunity for a review of both variants.
In: Azzurra Scarci • Raimon Graells i Fabregat • Fausto Longo (a cura di), Armi votive in Sicilia. RGZM -Tagungen 48 , 2022
From the excavation of the sanctuary dedicated to Demeter Thesmophoros at Bitalemi (Gela), a very... more From the excavation of the sanctuary dedicated to Demeter Thesmophoros at Bitalemi (Gela), a very small quantity of iron weapons has been recovered, seven in all, including thrown weapons and dagger blades. These pieces were offered during the first phase of frequentation of the sacred area, from the last quarter of the 7th to the middle of the 6th century BC. The few finds, regularly offered over time, make it difficult to suggest that even in Bitalemi the dedication of weapons had a significant role in the ritual, as proposed for other contexts sacred to Demeter. They require therefore a different explanation, which can be related to their use also for different functions, as for example instead of knives or skewers during the sacrifices and the following ritual meals.
Vasi di bronzo etruschi in Italia: produzioni regionali e diffusione tra le popolazioni italiche. Contesti d'uso, aspetti ideologici e tecnologici, 2023
The discovery in the Piceno area of some bronze hydriai, complete or attested only by single hand... more The discovery in the Piceno area of some bronze hydriai, complete or attested only by single handles with peculiar stylistic characteristics, has long started an intense debate on what may have been the productive area and on the influence, they had on other artistic contexts through the recovery of single iconographic motifs. The question can be re-examined now in the light of the most recent studies both on the Greek bronze vessels production and on which were the areas and the paths of their diffusion in the Italian peninsula.
A large quantity of high-quality bronze vessels has been found in Apulian excavations, generally ... more A large quantity of high-quality bronze vessels has been found in Apulian excavations, generally in funerary contexts. Their number is particularly significant and new discoveries and recent studies have further helped clarify the role of these finds in the cultural development of this region from the Archaic to the Late Classical period. This paper offers a contextual study of Greek bronze vessels found in Peucetian and Messapian sites, analyzing their shapes, chronology and origins, and the coexistence of Greek and locally-made pieces found within the same contexts.
Proceedings of the 19th International Congress of Classical Archaeology vol. 54, 2023
In Greek craftsmanship, bronze vessels take a special position, for the value of the metal, which... more In Greek craftsmanship, bronze vessels take a special position, for the value of the metal, which makes them immediately meaningful and precious: their use restricted to more rich people makes these pieces a clear expression of richness and power. In the Greek world, bronze vessels were early used during aristocratic convivial banquets and symposium, establishing a close relation between objects and their function, and were frequently dedicated as votive offerings in sanctuaries. The spread of these social practices among the indigenous societies, with which Greeks came in contact, is well attested since the Archaic period by imports of Greek bronze vessels: generally coming from funerary contexts of different indigenous areas, from Southern Italy to the Black Sea, they continue to represent wealth, power and identification with the Greek aristocratic culture and society.
Early Greek bronze vessels exported out of Greece among indigenous societies attest, together wit... more Early Greek bronze vessels exported out of Greece among indigenous societies attest, together with the more diffused figured pottery, the spread of Greek cultural model and social practices. Found generally in funerary contexts from Southern Italy to the Black Sea, they represented wealth, power and identification with the Greek aristocratic culture and society and it is interesting trying to recognize the function, these objects could have in the indigenous contexts where they were found.
Aim of the paper is to define the role of the metal vessels in defining the relation between Gree... more Aim of the paper is to define the role of the metal vessels in defining the relation between Greek and Scythian world from the VI to the IV century BC. The finding of many pieces of metal vessels, mainly bronze, in different sites of the Caucasian area, more or less close to the Greek colonies around the Black Sea, can be examined as expression of the well-established commercial trade, probably related with exchange of grain or slaves; and the appreciation by local elites reflects their role as status symbol together with the acceptance of the forms and the ways of self-representation of the Greek aristocracy.
Miscellanea di studi in memoria di Enzo Lippolis, 2021
I’d like to homage and remember the long friendship with Enzo Lippolis resuming a topic already s... more I’d like to homage and remember the long friendship with Enzo Lippolis resuming a topic already studied many years ago thanks to his support, the presence of Athenian bronze vessels among Apulian funerary finds. Increased by recent attributions, these pieces make clear the importance of the bronze vessels among the Greeks imports on the coasts of the Peucetia and Messapia from the late 6th to the mid 5th century BC.
As Gorgons, complete or represented only by the head, are among the most common decorations on Gr... more As Gorgons, complete or represented only by the head, are among the most common decorations on Greek bronze vessels from the Archaic period, it is interesting to examine examples on bronze vessels fragments from the Athenian Acropolis, defining some local characters in the Gorgoneion shape.
The origin, characteristics and development of Greek wall paintings in architectural style will b... more The origin, characteristics and development of Greek wall paintings in architectural style will be examined with special attention to the real imitation of the masonry and to the technique, suggesting a redefinition of some denominations now out of date, but still used.
The bronze objects fragments from the archaic votive deposits in the sanctuary of Demetra Thesmop... more The bronze objects fragments from the archaic votive deposits in the sanctuary of Demetra Thesmophoros at Bitalemi (Gela, Sicily) have been studied in these last years preparing the complete edition of the old excavations. The direct analysis of the bronze objects and the research of comparison made possible to understand how important was the practice of dedication of bronze fragments in this sanctuary, the different commercial route interesting the coasts of the Sicily in archaic time, the meaning of offering mostly just fragments and the rôle of the bronze heaps trade in the Mediterranean basin.
Nuove proposte di attribuzione a specifici ambiti produttivi per il dinos di Amandola e per la ba... more Nuove proposte di attribuzione a specifici ambiti produttivi per il dinos di Amandola e per la base tripode ad esso associata
In the Greek bronze vessels from the Archaic and Classical periods, basins certainly are the most... more In the Greek bronze vessels from the Archaic and Classical periods, basins certainly are the most widespread shape, with a high number of formal and ornamental variants, in particular in the handles. Among these, of particular interest are some specimens in the shape of a lion in an elongated position or, in a simpler form, with only the attachment decorated with a lion’s protome. Two unpublished pieces from the Sanctuary of the Sorgente at Saturo (Ta) offer the opportunity for a review of both variants.
In: Azzurra Scarci • Raimon Graells i Fabregat • Fausto Longo (a cura di), Armi votive in Sicilia. RGZM -Tagungen 48 , 2022
From the excavation of the sanctuary dedicated to Demeter Thesmophoros at Bitalemi (Gela), a very... more From the excavation of the sanctuary dedicated to Demeter Thesmophoros at Bitalemi (Gela), a very small quantity of iron weapons has been recovered, seven in all, including thrown weapons and dagger blades. These pieces were offered during the first phase of frequentation of the sacred area, from the last quarter of the 7th to the middle of the 6th century BC. The few finds, regularly offered over time, make it difficult to suggest that even in Bitalemi the dedication of weapons had a significant role in the ritual, as proposed for other contexts sacred to Demeter. They require therefore a different explanation, which can be related to their use also for different functions, as for example instead of knives or skewers during the sacrifices and the following ritual meals.
Vasi di bronzo etruschi in Italia: produzioni regionali e diffusione tra le popolazioni italiche. Contesti d'uso, aspetti ideologici e tecnologici, 2023
The discovery in the Piceno area of some bronze hydriai, complete or attested only by single hand... more The discovery in the Piceno area of some bronze hydriai, complete or attested only by single handles with peculiar stylistic characteristics, has long started an intense debate on what may have been the productive area and on the influence, they had on other artistic contexts through the recovery of single iconographic motifs. The question can be re-examined now in the light of the most recent studies both on the Greek bronze vessels production and on which were the areas and the paths of their diffusion in the Italian peninsula.
A large quantity of high-quality bronze vessels has been found in Apulian excavations, generally ... more A large quantity of high-quality bronze vessels has been found in Apulian excavations, generally in funerary contexts. Their number is particularly significant and new discoveries and recent studies have further helped clarify the role of these finds in the cultural development of this region from the Archaic to the Late Classical period. This paper offers a contextual study of Greek bronze vessels found in Peucetian and Messapian sites, analyzing their shapes, chronology and origins, and the coexistence of Greek and locally-made pieces found within the same contexts.
Proceedings of the 19th International Congress of Classical Archaeology vol. 54, 2023
In Greek craftsmanship, bronze vessels take a special position, for the value of the metal, which... more In Greek craftsmanship, bronze vessels take a special position, for the value of the metal, which makes them immediately meaningful and precious: their use restricted to more rich people makes these pieces a clear expression of richness and power. In the Greek world, bronze vessels were early used during aristocratic convivial banquets and symposium, establishing a close relation between objects and their function, and were frequently dedicated as votive offerings in sanctuaries. The spread of these social practices among the indigenous societies, with which Greeks came in contact, is well attested since the Archaic period by imports of Greek bronze vessels: generally coming from funerary contexts of different indigenous areas, from Southern Italy to the Black Sea, they continue to represent wealth, power and identification with the Greek aristocratic culture and society.
Early Greek bronze vessels exported out of Greece among indigenous societies attest, together wit... more Early Greek bronze vessels exported out of Greece among indigenous societies attest, together with the more diffused figured pottery, the spread of Greek cultural model and social practices. Found generally in funerary contexts from Southern Italy to the Black Sea, they represented wealth, power and identification with the Greek aristocratic culture and society and it is interesting trying to recognize the function, these objects could have in the indigenous contexts where they were found.
Aim of the paper is to define the role of the metal vessels in defining the relation between Gree... more Aim of the paper is to define the role of the metal vessels in defining the relation between Greek and Scythian world from the VI to the IV century BC. The finding of many pieces of metal vessels, mainly bronze, in different sites of the Caucasian area, more or less close to the Greek colonies around the Black Sea, can be examined as expression of the well-established commercial trade, probably related with exchange of grain or slaves; and the appreciation by local elites reflects their role as status symbol together with the acceptance of the forms and the ways of self-representation of the Greek aristocracy.
Miscellanea di studi in memoria di Enzo Lippolis, 2021
I’d like to homage and remember the long friendship with Enzo Lippolis resuming a topic already s... more I’d like to homage and remember the long friendship with Enzo Lippolis resuming a topic already studied many years ago thanks to his support, the presence of Athenian bronze vessels among Apulian funerary finds. Increased by recent attributions, these pieces make clear the importance of the bronze vessels among the Greeks imports on the coasts of the Peucetia and Messapia from the late 6th to the mid 5th century BC.
As Gorgons, complete or represented only by the head, are among the most common decorations on Gr... more As Gorgons, complete or represented only by the head, are among the most common decorations on Greek bronze vessels from the Archaic period, it is interesting to examine examples on bronze vessels fragments from the Athenian Acropolis, defining some local characters in the Gorgoneion shape.
The origin, characteristics and development of Greek wall paintings in architectural style will b... more The origin, characteristics and development of Greek wall paintings in architectural style will be examined with special attention to the real imitation of the masonry and to the technique, suggesting a redefinition of some denominations now out of date, but still used.
The bronze objects fragments from the archaic votive deposits in the sanctuary of Demetra Thesmop... more The bronze objects fragments from the archaic votive deposits in the sanctuary of Demetra Thesmophoros at Bitalemi (Gela, Sicily) have been studied in these last years preparing the complete edition of the old excavations. The direct analysis of the bronze objects and the research of comparison made possible to understand how important was the practice of dedication of bronze fragments in this sanctuary, the different commercial route interesting the coasts of the Sicily in archaic time, the meaning of offering mostly just fragments and the rôle of the bronze heaps trade in the Mediterranean basin.
Il manuale è dedicato all’esame della produzione architettonica e figurativa del mondo greco, a p... more Il manuale è dedicato all’esame della produzione architettonica e figurativa del mondo greco, a partire dalla caduta della civiltà palaziale micenea fino alla conquista da parte di Roma dell’ultimo dei regni ellenistici. In questo lungo arco di tempo nel mondo greco si sviluppano una serie di elementi culturali, politici ed artistici che risultano assolutamente innovativi rispetto a quanto elaborato nel resto delle civiltà antiche e che, assorbiti nel mondo romano e ripresi a partire dal Rinascimento, condizioneranno fortemente lo sviluppo della cultura europea ed occidentale fino almeno all’inizio del XX sec. Se dal punto di vista storico e politico tra gli aspetti più interessanti vi sono l’introduzione del concetto di democrazia e lo sviluppo del pensiero razionale filosofico, per quello che riguarda la produzione artistica si devono segnalare in particolare l’elaborazione degli ordini architettonici e l’attenzione per l’uomo, che porterà all’elaborazione di un nuovo modo di rappresentazione della figura umana, attento alla corretta resa dell’anatomia, del movimento, della naturalezza intesa come esatta imitazione, mimesis, della natura.
The book focuses on the results of a project of study and catalogue the bronze vessels fragments ... more The book focuses on the results of a project of study and catalogue the bronze vessels fragments discovered on the Acropolis of Athens and today keep in the National Archaeological Museum at Athens. The study has been concentrated in the inventory and analysis of more than one thousand bronze vessel fragments, mostly unpublished: from the careful typological and stylistic analysis it was possible to define the features peculiar of the Athenian bronze vessels production of the late archaic and early classical period, with also new proposal of attribution for many pieces from different sites.
In recent decades, the research on the sacred space in ancient Greece has experienced a significa... more In recent decades, the research on the sacred space in ancient Greece has experienced a significant increase, resulting in a decisive advancement of the state of the art in the field of ‘cult archaeology’, also thanks to the remains brought to light by the excavations carried out in Greek sanctuaries, to the fruitful reflections on ancient Hellenic religiosity and to the review of data and information derived from previous investigations. Thanks to these results, is it now possible to offer a meeting opportunity to update the scientific debate on a specific class of materials from the sacred areas, the metal artifacts, widely attested through archaeological findings, epigraphs and literary sources. There is a wide range of types of products, entailing different purposes and levels of expense, from the everyday objects (vessels, instrumentum related with the banquet), to actual and miniaturist weapons, from full-size and colossal statues to small statuettes, from big cauldrons to tripods; and coins, working tools, sportive items, jewels, etc. If for objects made of precious metals, such as gold and silver, it is above all the study of literary and epigraphic sources that allows us to reconstruct what their diffusion was, well attested are the bronze, iron and lead artefacts, widespread in the various religious centers of the Hellenic world (mainland Greece, Magna Graecia and Sicily) from the Proto-Geometric period until the Hellenism. The seminar aims to provide to scholars an update and to promote a scientific debate on several important issues related on more or less known sanctuaries, such as the analysis of the different classes of the offered metal objects; their possible use in the sanctuary life; the relationship, if one, between these dedications and the worshipped deities; their location within the consecrated boundaries; the relationship between the richness of these gifts and the city, in whose territory the sanctuary is located (both urban and extra-urban); their financial significance to foster forms of hoarding; the cult actions performed in association to their dedication and finally the methods of disposal of the metal votives, when they were damaged, obsolete or simply too many.
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The seminar aims to provide to scholars an update and to promote a scientific debate on several important issues related on more or less known sanctuaries, such as the analysis of the different classes of the offered metal objects; their possible use in the sanctuary life; the relationship, if one, between these dedications and the worshipped deities; their location within the consecrated boundaries; the relationship between the richness of these gifts and the city, in whose territory the sanctuary is located (both urban and extra-urban); their financial significance to foster forms of hoarding; the cult actions performed in association to their dedication and finally the methods of disposal of the metal votives, when they were damaged, obsolete or simply too many.