Archaeological Museum of Bologna

This vase is one of the most famous objects in the museum.
It comes from a grave of Benacci burial, where it was found in 1875. This "askos", a word which in greek means wineskin, is a terracotta vase made in the animal shape, with the potbellied body, long neck and head of a bull by curved horns. The vase was used as a container of fine liquid, introduced through the opening of the back and poured from the hole that the animal has on the muzzle. The handle has the shape a horse ridden by a rider with the shield on his back and the helmet on his head.

More info

This pot has a unique shape, reminiscent of a wineskin (hence the name, from the Greek askòs, meaning wineskin), of which only two other examples were found in Bologna, although others have come to light in Tyrrhenian Etruria. Nonetheless, these are quite rare objects that are always found in high-profile tombs and whose shape suggests they were for ritual uses. The pot handle is totally unique, depicting a horseman with a helmet and shield. This figure provides important indications relative to defensive weapons while also standing as one of the few examples of plastic Bolognese Villanovan items. It is likely that the pot had great sacred and social significance, and the horseman iconography certainly emphasized the prominent role of the deceased in the community.

Provenance: Bologna, Benacci Necropolis, tomb 525
Datation: Late 8th century B.C.
Material: Ceramics
Dimensions: Height: 17,7 cm.
Inventory #: 12791