A GLIMPSE INTO ETRURIA
Before the Romans were the Etruscans, whose society flourished in central Italy during the 6th century BCE (Before Common Era). Their culture is known for its religion, language, art, trade, engineering, and architecture. They were skilled metalworkers known for their jewelry and bronze statues. They were expert engineers, developing mining, metal crafting, urban planning, road construction, and hydraulic engineering. Through trade, they exported pottery, precious stones, tools, and metalwork throughout the Mediterranean. The Etruscans had their own pantheon of gods and believed they received messages from the gods through divination.
FROM ETRURIA TO THE PUTNAM MUSEUM – MRS. ADAH MARTIN’S DEDICATED WORK DURING WWI
Adah Moore was born in Rock Island on July 17, 1868, and was the first woman to attend Augustana College. She married Wellington Martin in 1887 and had two daughters. Adah went to Italy in 1910 to support her daughter’s musical studies. When WWI broke out, Adah and her daughter joined the Red Cross. She was one of the founders of the American Hospital in Florence, Italy. Adah led the Red Cross factory in Tuscania where she recruited women to make clothing for refugees. For her essential work, she was given a gold medal and made a citizen of Tuscania. Adah was gifted several Etruscan artifacts by the Mayor of Tuscania, which she donated to the Putnam’s collections shortly before her death in 1921.
EXHIBITION CATALOG
Hercle Oinochoe (Wine Jug), 420-300 BCE
This oinochoe (wine jug) features the Etruscan god Hercle, a version of the Greek god Heracles. He was worshiped as a divine being and frequently depicted nude and beardless. The vessel likely shows Hercle defeating a bearded snake or in his Second Labor (the slaying of the Lernaean Hydra). Donated by Charles A. Ficke
Etruscan Bucchero chalice, 500-480 BCE
This Bucchero-stemmed chalice depicts a man in profile, possibly a wind god, based on the wing-like motifs on either side of the head. Bucchero pottery is an Etruscan manufacturing technique in which a black color appears through the restriction of oxygen during the kiln firing. The piece is then burnished to give it a glossy finish. A “V” carved into the base of the vessel may have been intentionally placed and could be an artist’s mark. Donated by Charles A. Ficke
Fibulae, 700- 600 BCE
“Leech” shaped fibulae (brooches) were worn during the 7th century BCE. Ones with long catch plates or tails on the end are believed to have been influenced by Etruria and have great detail and ornamentation featuring geometric patterns. Donated by Charles A. Ficke
Male Figurine, 400 BCE
This cast bronze figurine features a modeled hair knot at the back of the head- possibly a resting youth. Donated by B.J. and Mabel Palmer Estate
Male Figurine, 400 BCE
This cast bronze figurine may represent Hercle. Donated by Charles A. Ficke
Bronze Lunate Razors, 900-700 BCE
Lunate Razors were often found buried in Etruscan tombs. They were used for shaving, cutting hair, and funerary or religious practices. Putnam Museum Collection
Greek Etruscan Kylix, Drinking Bowl, 390- 370 BCE
This vessel features a seated woman holding a basket of unworked wool and timbrel (tambourine) in one hand and potentially a tapestry in the other. Donated by Charles A. Ficke
Thymiaterion, Incense Stand, 325 -275 BCE
The incense burner was likely used for religious practices and funerary rites. It has a female figure (caryatid) supporting the column, possibly representing the Etruscan goddess, Turan. It also features birds at the top and a cat catching a bird in the center. Donated by Charles A. Ficke
Pitcher, 1000, 500 BCE
The terracotta pitcher features an Aryballos (bulbous) shape and short neck. Donated by Adah Martin
Etruscan Cup, 1000-500 BCE
This orange terracotta cup is covered with black slip. Donated by Adah Martin
Etruscan Plate, 1000-500 BCE
This plate is orange terracotta with black glaze and features an incised geometric design. An “X” is scratched into the center. Donated by Adah Martin
Etruscan Plate, 1000-500 BCE
This plate is orange terracotta with a red-orange glaze. An “X” is scratched into the center. Donated by Adah Martin
Etruscan Kantharos, 550 BCE
This Etruscan bucchero-type handled cup is made of a burnished black metallic glazed terracotta. Donated by Charles A. Ficke
Animal Figurine, 600-400 BCE
This bronze ram figure has incised detail representing locks of wool. Putnam Museum Collection
SOURCES
Ambrosini, Laura. Thymiateria etruschi in bronzo: di età tardo classica, alto e medio ellenistica. Italy: L’Erma di Bretschneider, 2002.
De Puma, Richard Daniel. Etruscan Art in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. United Kingdom: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2013.
Etruscan Italy: Etruscan Influences on the Civilizations of Italy from Antiquity to the Modern Era. United States: Museum of Art, Brigham Young University, 1996.
Haynes, Sybille. Etruscan Civilization: A Cultural History. Italy: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2000.
Shipley, Lucy. The Etruscans: Lost Civilizations. United Kingdom: Reaktion Books, 2023.
