Roman Pitcher

#104, Photographed by Mary Elizabeth Kulesa, 2024: Side 1

Name/Title

Roman Pitcher

Entry/Object ID

104

Acquisition

Notes

Date: 1897 Means of Accession: purchase

Made/Created

Artist

Unidentified

Date made

circa 300 BCE - 100 CE

Place

Country

Italy

Continent

Europe

Dimensions

Dimension Notes

Diam, Height: 1 15/16x6 1/4 in

Height

6-1/4 in

Diameter

1-15/16 in

Material

Bronze

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Exhibition Label

Label

Roman pitchers were made of many metals, but precious metal pitchers in silver and gold have largely vanished because they were melted down and reused. Many bronze pitchers such as this one were less expensive than their precious metal counterparts and have survived because they were buried within tombs or hidden in hoards beneath the ground.

Label Type

Exhibition Label

Label

Etruscans applied their metalworking expertise to the making of various household items. Small bronze jugs such as this were a more modest option for those who could not afford gold and silver vessels. However, bronze vessels were highly sought after because they could be gilded to look like they were made of solid gold or silver. Jugs like these were often exported throughout the Mediterranean.