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Situla of the Pania

The Situla of the Pania is an ivory situla or pyxis from the end of the seventh century BC, found in the Tomb of the Pania in Chiusi and now conserved in the Museo archeologico nazionale di Firenze. It is one of the most important examples of Etruscan ivory work, with only two other known examples, one from Chiusi and one from Cerveteri. The vessel is a hollow cylinder 22 cm high, decorated with horizontal friezes separated by bands of carved plant motifs, including interweaved palmettes and lotus flowers. Its upper friezes show scenes from the Odyssey, warriors, mourning women, a funerary dance, and horsemen, while later bands feature beasts, monsters, and imaginary animals.

The Situla of the Pania, a pale cylindrical vessel with bands of relief carvings and visible wear.
The Situla of the Pania shows layered relief decoration around its worn cylindrical surface.
December 2008 © · CC BY 2.5
Situla of the Pania with a cream-colored cylindrical body and carved relief decoration
The Situla of the Pania, shown here as a cream-colored vessel with worn relief carvings around the exterior.
December 2008 © · CC BY 2.5
Situla of the Pania, a light-colored carved ivory vessel with horizontal bands of relief figures and decorative patterns, showing wear and damage at the rim.
Situla of the Pania, a carved ivory vessel decorated with relief scenes and patterns.
February 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Carved ivory pyxis of the Situla of the Pania with friezes of figures, animals, and decorative motifs.
The Situla of the Pania, a carved ivory pyxis with narrative bands and decorative reliefs.
© · CC BY 2.5
Detail of the Situla of the Pania showing a carved relief band with human figures, including a figure in a crested helmet.
Close-up of the Situla of the Pania, showing a carved relief scene with human figures and decorative borders.
December 2008 © · CC BY 2.5

Identification

TitleSitula of the Pania
TypeIvory situla or pyxis

Historical context

DateLate 7th century BC
CultureEtruscan

Discovery and provenance

Discovery placeTomb of the Pania, Chiusi

Location and ownership

Current locationMuseo archeologico nazionale di Firenze

Physical characteristics

FormHollow cylinder
Height22 cm

Materials

MaterialIvory
ConstructionMade from a section of an elephant tusk

Technique

Display statusExhibited in reconstructed form

Appearance

Upper and lower bandsLotus flowers
DecorationHorizontal friezes separated by narrow carved bands with vegetal motifs; two wider bands at the top and bottom
Vegetal motifsInterlaced palmettes and lotus flowers

Iconography and meaning

Upper frieze imageryTwo myths from the Odyssey, separated by a sphinx: the encounter with Scylla and the escape from Polyphemus
Scylla depictionScylla resembles a hydra; described as a fish-like monster with three long necks with dog heads
Second frieze imageryWarrior’s departure for war, hoplites greeting, mourning women, a warrior performing a funerary dance, and a horseman
Mourning womenWomen with long braids and arms crossed over their chests
Third band imageryBeasts and monsters in orientalizing style, including a centaur
Last band imageryOther imaginary animals

Style

StyleLess monumental than earlier ivories, but more vividly narrative

Significance

Art historical significanceOne of the most important examples of Etruscan ivory workmanship; only two other examples are known, one from Chiusi and one from Cerveteri