Situla (vessel)
Situlae (Latin for " bucket" ) is a metal vessel type of the Bronze and Early Iron Age in the Etrusco- Italic area and in the Hallstatt culture. Not infrequently, it is decorated with a figural reliefs driven. The Situlenkunst style is typical of these cultures and one of the main sources of contemporary illustrations.
Distribution and dating
Main distribution area is the Este culture in northern Italy - the surroundings of Bologna and Slovenia, Tyrol and Veneto - and the area of Hallstatt Duerrenberg.
The Situlae belong to the Estonian culture and the Hallstatt period, with one dated around 300 BC ( Hallstatt period C and D, La Tène A and B). Oldest pieces to 600, the most recent
Shape and ornamentation
A situlae is made slightly conical ( downward narrowing ) with as flat a surface of bronze plate, provided approximately 25-30 cm high and with a handle. Situlae have the shape of a bucket. Situlae were made in repoussé work; most often they are decorated with friezes image.
As decorative items people were shown, eg in drinking scenes, warriors, trains, as pugilist, musicians or car driver - usually in profile, but also deer, ibex and predators, such as winged lions. The friezes often betrayed southern ( Etruscan or East Greek ) influences. Presumably, this has created pieces of equipment of the upper class in an aristocratic society characterized
An important example is the situlae from Vače (Slovenia ), 500 BC your vessel body cover three figure friezes. In the upper row a horse leader, two horsemen and two different cars are seen in the middle of a hard scene with two men next to a Fußkessel, an enthroned man, three drinkers, the mean blowing the syrinx, with audience, a pugilist with spectators, at the bottom you see an animal frieze with a predator, hinds, and ibex.
Other examples are the Situla Kuffern ( Naturhistorisches Museum Wien ), the situlae in Providence (Rhode Iceland ), the Situla Toplice, Situla Novo Mesto, the Situla Welzelach that situlae of small small, and for the northern Italian space Situla benvenuti ( Este ) and the Certosa situlae (Museo Civico, Bologna )
Use
It was used for mixing water and wine, or for storing liquids, probably also for cult purposes. From them was drawn directly to the drinking cup.
Later, the Situlae were also used as urns.