Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami

Food Storage Jar (Heron Class Olla)

Artist/Maker Artist Unknown (Artist Unknown)

Dateca. 700-675 BCE

Mediumpottery and paint

DimensionsOverall: 15 1/2 x 17 5/8 x 14 7/8 in. (39.4 x 44.8 x 37.8 cm)

ClassificationsContainers

Credit LineMuseum purchase through the 1998 Director's Circle and the Lowe Art Museum Acquisitions Fund

Terms

Object number98.0004

On View

On view

Collections

Art of the Ancient Mediterranean

DescriptionThis early 7th century BCE Etruscan olla was probably used as a cinerary urn in a grave. Etruria was a wealthy and powerful region of Italy, whose arts were enriched indigenously and by Greek artists who settled there to work for wealthy patrons. The vessel is a basic, bulbous mixing jar shape, but the simplified, schematized designs and patterns that encircle it in bands form a direct link to the further development of vase painting and design in Greece and Italy. Animals and human figures were first introduced into pottery decoration during this Geometric Period. In this example, stylized herons, which particularly characteristic of Etruscan pottery decoration, and a horse occupy the zones between concentric circles.