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1985.50.490

Schematic Umbrian figurine of cast copper alloy; standing female figure.

1985.50.490

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Collection type
Object
Description
Schematic Umbrian figurine of cast copper alloy; standing female figure.
Long description
Schematic Umbrian figurine of cast copper alloy; standing female figure with 3-dimensional head and flat body. Facial characteristics and pointed headdress/hairstyle are still definable, as well as small circles on body. Pointed projection below feet, possibly to make the figure stand up. Left hand on hip and right arm outstretched at side.
Geographical reference
Italy
Europe > Southern Europe > Italy
Date / Period
Archaeological period: Iron Age Etruscan Date made: 525 - 290 BCE
Date collected
1919
Acquisition information
Loaned: 1985
Materials and processes
Material Bronze Metal, Material Copper Alloy Metal, Process Cast
Dimensions
Width: max 27 mm, Length: max 69 mm, Weight 13.6 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1985.50.490
Research and responses

This object was examined by Dr Simon Stoddard, University of Cambridge, as part of the Fell funded project Characterizing the World Archaeology Collections. He advised that these are not strictly amulets, but small bronzes - bronzetti schematici -deposited by worshippers on drystone platforms, normally located on intervisible mountain tops in the Umbria region. There is a good catalogue available for comparison by Colonna, G. (1970) Bronzi Votivi Umbro - Sabellici A Figura Umana, I - Periodo "Arcaico". Studi e Materiali di Etruscologia e Antichità Italiche. G.C. Sansoni. [AS 04/03/2010]

This object is among a set of figurines studied by Mirjam von Bechtolsheim and published in her doctoral thesis ‘A contextualised study of schematic Umbrian figurines c. 525-290 BCE’ (Open University, 2025): https://oro.open.ac.uk/106938/

The figurines studied (1985.50.467–474, 1985.50.476–490, 1985.50.492–493 & 1985.50.495) derive from one or more unknown sites in or around Perugia and are thought to date from the late sixth to the beginning of the third century BCE. For this object von Bechtolsheim provides the following information:

‘Classification: Vöcklabruck Group. Conventional: Vöcklabruck Group (Colonna 1970: 88-90) | V.3.C.3A, The Late Archaic Provincial Umbrian Kore: "Perugia" (Hill Richardson 1983: 312-17).'

See the related documents file for a copy of Appendix II: Catalogue of the schematic Umbrian figures in the Pitt Rivers Museum. [JMC 03/02/2026]

Search terms: Religion, Figure, Religious Offering, Amulet

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