Etruscan Bronze Kyathos Ladle, Duck Head Handle

**Originally Listed At $750**

Northern Italy, Tuscany, Etruscan culture, ca. 5th to 3rd century BCE. A fascinating bronze ladle or kyathos of unique form featuring an open loop that would have held a bowl on one end and a duck-headed handle at the other. The curved handle first broadens then tapers to a flattened stem that elegantly twists just before the open loop with bent finials. The ladle - in Latin, a simpulum or simpuvium - was used to make libations and to taste wines and liquors that were poured on the heads of sacrificial victims. It was also more generally just a utensil, shown in banqueting scenes on Greek and Italian vases aiding in the distribution of wine into cups. The hooked end of the handle is shown in a scene from an Etruscan tomb being held by a slave and used to hang the utensil from the side of a large wine vessel. Size: 17.1" L x 1.7" W (43.4 cm x 4.3 cm); 16.5" H (41.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#175360
Condition Report: Missing dipper bowl of ladle. Slight bending to open loop but form is still very clear. Otherwise, excellent with nice patina throughout.