Label Type
Curator Pick of the MonthLabel
This Etruscan rendering of a ram’s head is the oldest object in the Drexel Collection, dating c. 700-500 BCE! The Etruscans, the forerunners of the Romans, were known for their fine metal craft, thanks to the high quality of ores in Tuscany. This explains why this delicate piece of less than 3 1/5 inches in diameter was able to survive so many centuries! The ram’s head was created using the technique of repoussé, where the craftsman hammers the piece of metal into shape from the reverse side. In addition to creating decorative pieces, the Etruscans also used bronze to create small objects of daily use, such as storage jars, handles, and mirrors.Label Type
Exhibition LabelLabel
Etruscan daily life included a significant amount of time dedicated to votive worship. Votives are
gifts given to the gods to ensure a favorable response to prayers. Animal depictions, such as
sheep and goats, were common offerings because they were the conventional animals of
sacrifice for most deities. This ornament from a votive shield depicts a ram’s head, and would
have been made specifically for votive use.