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An Etruscan terracotta cinerary urn image 1
An Etruscan terracotta cinerary urn image 2
Lot 106*

An Etruscan terracotta cinerary urn

Antiquities
3 July 2019, 10:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £3,812.50 inc. premium

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An Etruscan terracotta cinerary urn
Circa 3rd-1st Century B.C.
The rectangular chest-shaped urn decorated in relief with the scene of Eteocles (Evzicle) and Polyneikes (Fulnice) in combat flanked by winged figures holding torches, 25cm high x 36cm wide x 16.5cm deep

Footnotes

Provenance:
Private collection, New Mexico, acquired prior to 1989; and thence by descent to the present owner.

Eteocles and Polyneices were the sons of Oedipus, King of Thebes, and Jocasta. Following the exile of their father, they agreed to split the kingship, by reigning in alternate years. However, when Eteocles' year came to an end, he refused to relinquish the throne to his brother. Polyneices subsequently fled to Argos, to seek support for his claim; he succeeded in finding allies who promised to help him reclaim the Theban throne ("The Seven Against Thebes"). During the ensuing battle, Eteocles and Polyneices met in combat and killed each other. This scene of fratricide was popular on Etruscan cinerary urns during the Hellenistic Period, probably in part due to the popularity of Aeschylus' play commemorating the saga.

The British Museum, London has various cinerary urns decorated with the same scene, showing the Greek myth of the brothers Eteocles and Polyneikes fighting for the right to rule Thebes, including acc. nos. 1850,0514.1 and 1867,0508.111.

Additional information

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