Roman bronze situla from Germany, 2nd-3rd century

Situla, from the Latin for bucket or pail, is a term for a variety of elaborate bucket-shaped vessels from the Iron Age to the Middle Ages, usually with a handle at the top. All types may be highly decorated with reliefs in bands or friezes running round the vessel. Typically they are bronze, as in the types of libation vessels found as grave goods in the Hallstatt region of Middle and Southeast Europe and Etruscan art, where they have a distinctive style known as "situla art". These usually have a short narrower neck. Situla is also the name for types of bucket-shaped Ancient Greek vases, some very finely painted.^[1] More utilitarian pottery situlae are also found, and some in silver or other materials,^[2] such as two Late Antique glass ones in St Mark's, Venice.

[edit] Attribute of Isis

The term is also used for pails carried by figures in other art forms; according to Plutarch and other sources this was a sign of a devotee of Isis, who herself is often shown carrying one (containing water from the sacred Nile), of a rather different shape, with a rounded bottom, and sometimes lidded. This rounded shape, often with a "nipple" at the bottom (see Luristan example in gallery), is believed to have represented the female breast.^[3] These were also donated to temples as votive offerings by devotees.

[edit] Christian situlae

Elaborate early medieval situlae were Christian liturgical objects used to hold holy water, also of usually of bronze, and straight-sided with a handle. An aspergillum was dipped in the situla to collect water with which to sprinkle the congregation or other objects. Four richly carved ivory examples from the tenth century are known: the Basilewsky Situla of 920 in the Victoria & Albert Museum, decorated with scenes from the Life of Christ in two friezes,^[4], the "Situla of Gotofredo" of c. 980 in Milan Cathedral, one in the Aachen Cathedral Treasury,^[5] and one in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.^[6] All came from the milieu of the Ottonian court: an inscription says that Archbishop Gotfredus presented the Milan example in anticipation of a visit by the Emperor, also referred to in the London example which was probably from the same workshop. The latest and most lavish is the Aachen example, which is studded with jewels and shows an enthroned Emperor, surrounded by a pope and archbishops. This was probably made in Trier about 1000.^[7]

[edit] Outside Europe

The term may also be used for similar vessels from other cultures, especially the ancient Middle East and China and Vietnam.^[8]

Bronze bath buckets are also found in Islamic art, such as the 12th century Persian Bobrinsky Bucket in the Hermitage Museum.

[edit] Gallery

Situla from Luristan, 9th century BC

Etruscan "Situla della Pania", 7th century BC

An enlarged copy of situla from Vače, Slovenia, on display near the site

Reproduction of Etruscan bronze situla

Priestess of Isis carrying situla, Roman statue, Second Century, B.C.

Nasrid situla from the Alhambra, 14th century

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Beckwith, John. Early Medieval Art: Carolingian, Ottonian, Romanesque, Thames & Hudson, 1964 (rev. 1969), ISBN 050020019X
• Kipfer, Barbara Ann. Encyclopedic dictionary of archaeology, Springer, 2000, ISBN 0306461587, 9780306461583.Google books
• Witt, Reginald Eldred. Isis in the ancient world, JHU Press, 1997 (2nd ed), ISBN 0801856426, 9780801856426. Google books

[edit] Further reading

• Beckwith, John. The Basilewsky Situla, 1963, HMSO
• Kastelic, Joze, and Karl Kromer, Guido Mansuelli. Situla Art: Ceremonial Bronzes of Ancient Europe, NY McGraw-Hill 1965