Grape Pips from Etruscan and Roman Cetamura del Chianti: On Stratigraphy, Literary Sources and Pruning Hooks

Nancy T. de Grummond

doi:10.1515/etst-2018-0013

Article

Grape Pips from Etruscan and Roman Cetamura del Chianti: On Stratigraphy, Literary Sources and Pruning Hooks

Nancy T. de Grummond

Published/Copyright: October 13, 2018

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From the journal Etruscan Studies Volume 21 Issue 1-2

Abstract

Recently an article appeared raising some issues about the interpretation of grape pips that were excavated at Cetamura del Chianti by the present writer (2012-14). This commentary makes suggestions concerning the arguments in that article with reference to 1) stratigraphy at the site; 2) literary sources on Etruscan viticulture; and 3) the use of the pruning hook by the Etruscans. The present article makes a contribution to the study of Etruscan viticulture by assembling an appendix on actual pruning hooks that have been discovered in Italy dating from the Late Bronze Age down to the second century B. C. E., as well as an appendix on representations of a youth holding the pruning hook in Etruscan art, mainly from the fourth and third centuries B. C. E.

Keywords: Etruscan; Cetamura del Chianti; wine; grape seeds; grapes; vineyards; viticulture; pruning hook; falx

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Appendix A: The Etruscan Falx

Note: Specimens are presented in chronological order. In some cases no measurements were available.

1. MASSA, PARIANA

Bronze falces (fig. 1)

Final Bronze Age-Early Iron Age, 11th–10th century B. C. E.

Pariana

Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Florence

Bib. Cateni 1984, 22, fig. 2; Cristofani 1985, 41–2 (entry by G. Cateni)

Cateni published one bronze falx, partially preserved, that has a curvature appropriate for a pruning hook rather than a sickle. He also published two others that have the strongly curved shape of the sickle. He compares the first example with the completely preserved specimen from Limone (see entry no. 3).

2. LUCCA, CAMAIORE, COLLE LE BANCHE

Bronze falx

Final Bronze Age-Early Iron Age, 11th–10th century B. C. E.

Camaiore, Colle Le Banche

Civici Musei di Villa Paolina, Viareggio, Inv. 101381

Bib. Torelli 2000, 544, no. 17 (entry by D. Cocchi Genick); Cocchi Genick and Grifoni Cremonesi, 1985, 324–60 (entry by D. Cocchi Genick).

A single example from the Camaiore ripostiglio, 14 cm long, is published in the catalogue of the exhibition Gli etruschi at Venice in 2000. It has a fairly deep curve as appropriate for a sickle, but given its small size, more likely it was used for pruning.

3. LIVORNO, LIMONE

Bronze falx

Late 10th-Early 9th century B. C. E.

Limone

Museo Civico Fattori, Livorno (according to Cateni 1977, 3)

Bib. Cateni, 1977, 21, 14–15, fig. 6.1.

Cateni publishes one bronze falx that is fully preserved, showing the appropriate curvature for a billhook. He also includes three fragmentary examples of falces that are not sufficiently well preserved to be diagnosed as either sickles or pruning hooks.

4. BOLOGNA, RIPOSTIGLIO DI SAN FRANCESCO

Bronze falces (fig. 2)

Ninth-seventh century B. C. E.

Bologna, hut beside the Basilica of San Francesco

Museo Civico Archeologico, Bologna, Sala Xb

Bib. Morigi Govi and Vitali, 1982, 259–60 (entry by S. Tovoli); Morigi Govi and Sassatelli 1984, 314–15; Cristofani 1986, 81, 85, fig. 22; Bentini 1995, 38–40; Delpino 1989, 115; Delpino 1997, 192–93; Delpino 2012, 194–96.

The hoard or repository (ripostiglio) of San Francesco contained 14,838 items of bronze, some items whole, but many broken, of assorted forms—axes, fibulas, knives, razors, as well as falces. According to Morigi Govi and Sassatelli, there were 412 pieces from falces (“le falci e le roncole”). Bentini 1995 counted 187 pieces that could be associated with the pruning hook, some fragments presumably part of the same hook, and Delpino 1997 estimated that there may have been a minimum of some 50 pruning hooks in the total. In any case there were a great many (normally on display in Sala Xb of the Museo Civico, but closed for renovation from September 2017 to Spring, 2019).

Two well-preserved examples are presented here (fig. 2), along with a hook from Piediluco near Rieti in the Sabine area, also of early date. Some of the pruning hooks from Bologna feature a tubular terminal into which a handle or long pole could be inserted (cf. supra n. 35).

5. TARQUINIA, PIAN DI CIVITA

Deer antler carved as falces

Seventh century B. C. E.

Tarquinia, PIan di Civita

Tarquinia excavations at Pian di Civita, 311/11 and 180/49

Bib. Bonghi Jovino 2005, 80; Bonghi Jovino 2010, 11.

Bonghi Jovino has noted that the deer antler found at Tarquinia in the “monumental complex” of Pian di Civita dating to the seventh century B. C. E. may have been carved in the shape of falces, probably imitating sickles rather than pruning hooks. The small size results from the fact that they are votives and not actually meant for cutting.

6. POPULONIA

Iron and bronze falces (fig. 3)

Sixth-fifth century B. C. E.

Populonia

Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Florence

Bib. Vitali 1931, 431; Cristofani 1981, 178, 181, fig. 149.

The two tools in the Florence museum (fig. 3) were first published together by Vitali, who stated that the iron tool comes from Montemurlo (Florence). Cristofani published the two as coming from Populonia, and assigned the date of sixth-fifth century B. C. E. The two falces are very different from one another in size and material (the iron example is much larger than the bronze), and the shape of the iron tool seems more likely to be a pruning hook, while the bronze instrument could serve for either pruning or reaping on a limited scale. Both feature a tubular termination into which a handle or pole could be inserted.

7. BOMARZO, PIANMIANO

Two lead falces (fig. 4)

Hellenistic period, second-first century B. C. E.

Pianmiano

Vatican City, Museo Gregoriano Etrusco, Inv. 11993 and 11994

Bib. Baglione 1976, 156–157, pl. XCVII/1–2; Buranelli 1992, 149 (no. 130).

The form of the hook of inv. 11994 is almost identical to that of a modern pruning hook. According to Buranelli, the lead makes the instrument too soft to be practical, and it is therefore more likely an offering. The length of 34.5 cm makes it measure approximately one Etruscan foot; it would also be very heavy. Inv. 11993 measures 22.5 cm and would be a more manageable tool. In photos, it appears to have some serration on the interor cutting side of the hook. Again, the tools have a tubular termination into which a handle or pole coiuld be inserted.

Baglione says that the instruments were discovered by L. Arduini in 1834 at Pianmiano outside Bomarzo, where there was a necropolis. Buranelli, while citing Baglione, nonetheless refers to the provenance as “unknown.”

8. TALAMONE

Miniature bronze falces

Second century B. C. E.

Talamone

Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Florence, Inv. 10669, inv. 10673

Bib. Santoro 1978, 215 (nos. 575–76; entries by M. Michelucci); Cristofani 1981, 178, 181, fig. 148.

The two objects (length 6.6 and 7.9 cm.) were found in a ripostiglio of numerous small bronze objects related to warfare and farming. One is poorly preserved and no photo is available. From its shape the better preserved example (inv. 10669) seems to be a sickle rather than a pruning hook, but due to its miniature size it is difficult to say.

Appendix B: Etruscan Representations of the falx

Note: Specimens are arranged here according to category and in alphabetical order according to provenance, when known.

BRONZE STATUETTES

ALBEGNA RIVER VALLEY

1. Standing Nude Youth with falx

End of fourth-beginning of third century B. C. E.

Albegna River valley, between Doganella and Orbetello

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Anthropology Section

Inv. No. 2983-6858

Bib. Del Chiaro 1981, 16–17 (no. 10); Bentz 1992, 203–4; Rendini 2003, 20 (n. 20); Rendini 2005, 289, 291–92 (n. 16); Firmati 2009 b, 55.

The youth holds the falx perfectly upright in his proper right hand. It is large in proportion to the figure, but the shallow curve confirms that it is a pruning tool rather than a sickle. The figure is roughly modeled and hard to date stylistically, but the hair fashion fits with a dating of the late fourth or early third century B. C. E. Bentz accepts Del Chiaro’s fourth century dating. Rendini discovered documents of the 19th century that indicated that this statuette was discovered somewhere between Doganella and Orbetello.

Bentz groups the figure with similar bronzes he believes, following Del Chiaro, to represent the god Selvans.

GHIACCIO FORTE

2. Standing Nude Youth with falx (fig. 5)

Fourth century B. C. E.

Ghiacchio Forte

Museo Archeologico, Scansano, Inv. 98511

Bib. Del Chiaro 1976, no. 6; Del Chiaro 1981, 16–17; Cristofani 1985, 140 (no. 6.6, entry by A. Talocchini; end of the fourth century B. C. E.); Talocchini 1986, 61–2 (no. 34); Bentz 1992, 20 (no. C.8) and 203; Firmati 2009 a, 47–9, fig. 1.

The youth holds a falx upright in his proper right hand (fig. 5). The instrument is large in proportion to the figure, but the blade has the curve of a pruning hook rather than a sickle. His proper left hand is extended as if to hold a patera (not present). The fourth-century B. C. E. dating is agreed upon by Del Chiaro, Bentz and Firmati. Talocchini in Cristofani 1985 also gave the date as fourth century, though Talocchini 1986 dated the piece to the third century B. C. E. Probably made in the same workshop as the following entry from Ghiaccio Forte.

Bentz groups the figure with similar bronzes he believes, following Del Chiaro, to represent the god Selvans.

GHIACCIO FORTE

3. Standing Youth with falx, wearing a mantle (fig. 6)

Fourth century B. C. E.

Ghiacchio Forte

Museo Archeologico, Scansano, Inv. 98513

Bib. Del Chiaro 1976, no. 7., pl. 1; Del Chiaro 1981, 16–17; Bentz 1992, 20 (no. C.9) and 203; Firmati 2009 a, 47–9, fig. 2; Cianferoni and Minucci 2011, 216 (no. 129).

The youth holds a falx upright in his proper right hand (fig. 5). The instrument is large in proportion to the figure, but the blade has the curve of a pruning hook rather than a sickle. The left hand is extended in a grip that would hold an upright staff or similar item. A short mantle is draped over the proper left shoulder, leaving the right bare. The fourth century B. C. E. dating is agreed upon by Del Chiaro, Bentz and Firmati. Probably made in the same workshop as the preceding entry from Ghiaccio Forte.

Bentz groups the figure with similar bronzes he believes, following Del Chiaro, to represent the god Selvans.

MAGLIANO IN TOSCANA, CASTELLACCIO DI MONTIANO

4. Standing Nude Youth with falx

Fourth century B. C. E.

Castellacio di Montiano

Florence, Museo Nazionale Archeologico di Firenze

Inv. 254538

Bib. Rendini 2005, 289, fig. II.d; Firmati 2009 b, 55–6, fig. 1.

The nude youth holds vertically in the proper right hand a falx that is definitely a pruning hook. The left hand is extended outward in a position of preparing to grasp something between thumb and fingers (perhaps a patera? but none is present). The figure is rendered in a more summary fashion than the other bronze statuettes in this appendix. The hairstyle here as elsewhere points to the fourth century B. C. E.

Like the other statuettes in this catalogue, the figure may represent the god Selvans.

PERUGIA (?)

5. Standing Youth with a falx, wearing a mantle

Fourth century B. C. E.

Perugia?

Orvieto, Museo Claudio Faina

Inv. 1269

Bib. Bentz 1992, 29 (M. 4), 203; Caravale 2003, 88 (n. 87).

The mantled youth holds up a falx slightly out of the vertical, in his proper right hand. Bentz included the statuette in his listing of bronzes with the Gärtnermesser (i.e., pruning hook; 203), but also refers to it as a figure with an Erntemesser (i.e., sickle). The curve of the blade is not pronounced, but rather resembles that of a pruning hook. The left hand is extended as if gripping a shaft or some other item. Cf. the figure with mantle from Ghiaccio Forte, appx. B, no. 3. Bentz suggests that the bronze may have originated at Perugia and may represent the god Selvans. Caravale has no comment on provenance.

SAN CASCIANO VAL DI PESA

6. Standing Youth with falx with long handle, wearing a mantle

Late fourth century B. C. E.

San Casciano val di Pesa, locality San Donato in Luciana

Florence, Museo Archeologico Nazionale

Inv. 79030

Bib. Maggiani 1985, 158–59, no. 211; Bentz 1992, 134, 202.

The statuette features a well-muscled youth holding a shaft, broken at the tip, in his proper left hand. The shaft may be identified as part of a falx on the basis of four other comparable examples in which the full instrument is preserved (nos. 7–10 below; see discussion especially under no. 7). It is not possible to say more about the tool. The youth, with a preserved height of 16.8 cm, wears a voluminous mantle draped over the proper left shoulder hanging very low on the front of the body and swathing the legs. The feet and proper right hand are missing. It has been suggested that he represents Selvans.

SIENA (?)

7. Standing Youth with falx with long handle, wearing a small mantle (fig. 7)

Middle or second half of the third century B. C. E.

Siena (?)

Siena, Museo Archeologico

Inv. 36

Bib. Bentz 1992, 110 (no. 26.1.2), 202, 204, figs. 192–94.

The youth holds a falx with a long handle attached to which is a blade with a shallow curve. He holds the instrument balanced in the palm of his proper right hand so that it stands upright, leaning slightly against the upper arm. He is nude except for a small mantle draped over the proper left shoulder; he wears boots with laces. The stance is hipshot and fluid, supporting the dating of Bentz to the third century B. C. E. The bronze measures 10.5 cm high and is so similar to another bronze statuette in Bologna (no. 8, below) that Bentz believes they may have been made from the same mold. He suggests this bronze may have been found at Siena or nearby.

Bentz calls the tool Erntemesser mit langem Griff, but in fact it cannot be a sickle because the shape with shallow curve would not work for reaping. This falx must be a pruning hook on a long handle, perhaps similar to some of the specimens in appendix A (nos. 4, 6 and 7) that obviously would have had a handle attached. For a reconstruction of such a tool in use to reach up high on vines on trees, see Zifferero 2012, fig. 13.

Bentz suggests the figure may represent the god Selvans.

PROVENANCE UNKNOWN

8. Standing Youth with falx with long handle

Middle or second half of the third century B. C. E.

Provenance unknown

Museo Civico Archeologico, Bologna

Inv. No. Rom 1118

Bib. Bentz 1992, 110 (no. 26.1.1), 202, fig. 195.

The description given in entry no. 7, above, the small bronze in Siena, applies equally to this statuette. There are minor differences in the hair styles and in the laced boots of the Siena example, but in general the hypothesis of Bentz that these may have been made from the same mold is convincing. The Bologna statuette is the same size, measured at 10.6 cm.

9. Standing Youth with falx with long handle

Middle or second half of the third century B. C. E.

Provenance unknown

Formerly Art Market

Bib. Bentz 1992, 202, fig. 278.

Bentz includes an illustration showing that the figure holds the same kind of billhook on a long handle as seen in nos. 6–7 above, in his proper left hand. The figure is much taller (22.9 cm) and wears a mantle wrapped around the waist and draped across the proper left arm. He wears boots with laces, and holds a patera in the proper right hand. The hair, rather full and swept back, fits with Hellenistic dating. Again, the bronze statuette may be an image of Selvans.

10. Standing Youth with falx with long handle

Middle or second half of the third century B. C. E.

Provenance unknown

Museo Archeologico, Verona

Inv. A4, 341

Bib. Franzoni 1980, 73–74 (no. 55); Bentz 1992, 202, fig. 195.

The statuette is large (35.3) compared with all others in appendix B. The typology is the same as no. 9 above, with the falx with long handle in the proper left hand. The right hand is extended, and holds an object, perhaps a small patera. The youth wears a mantle draped around the waist and over the left arm in the same manner as no. 9. The locks of hair are long in the hair style of Alexander the Great, and are enriched by a crown with eight radiating points. Franzoni calls the figure a rustic Genius. Probably, like the other bronzes in this appendix, it represents Selvans.

11. Standing Nude Youth with falx

Fourth century B. C. E.

Provenance unknown

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Anthropology Section

Inv. No. 2983-6851

Bib. Del Chiaro 1981, 16–17 (no. 8); Mitten and Doeringer 1968, no. 219 (figure on candelabrum in City Art Museum of Saint Louis); Bentz 1992, 203.

The youth holds the falx in his left hand, nearly vertical, and a patera in his right. The falx seems to be broken on the tip of the blade. There can be no doubt it is a pruning falx, as the distance between the top of his hand and the curve of the blade is relatively short.

The stylistic similarity to a bronze finial figure on a candelabrum in St. Louis supports the fourth century B. C. E. dating. Bentz accepts Del Chiaro’s fourth century dating.

It is possible that the piece has the same provenance, discovered by Rendini, as entry no. 1. No mention was found of it, however, in the documents she published on that subject.

12. Standing Nude Youth with falx

Late fourth century B. C. E.

Provenance unknown

University of Arkansas Museum

Inv. No. 56-25-66

Bib. Del Chiaro 1981, 16–17 (no. 9).

The youth holds a falx with a thick blade downturned in his left hand, in a chopping motion, with his right hand on his hip. The hooked tool has a short handle and a pronounced curved shape. It cannot be ruled out that it may reference a sickle rather than a pruning hook.

THYMIATERIA

BOMARZO, PIANMIANO

13. Nude Youth with falx, depicted climbing on the shaft of a thymiaterion

Last quarter of the fourth-first half of the third century B. C. E.

Pianmiano

Vatican City, Museo Gregoriano Etrusco

Inv. 12649

Bib. Testa 1989, 111–12 (no. 53); Ambrosini 2002, 272 (no. 302).

Similar to entry no. 14, but with the twisted pattern of the shaft simplified into shallow lines. The figure shinnying on the shaft is also simplified, with smoothing of surfaces and little articulation of details of hands and face. Again, it is most likely that the curved instrument is a pruning hook rather than a sickle. Cf. the pruning hooks from Pianmiano Bomarzo, appx. A, no. 7. Ambrosini confirms the date.

TALAMONE

14. Nude Youth with falx, depicted climbing on the shaft of a thymiaterion

Mid-fourth century B. C. E.

Talamone

Museo Archeologico di Orbetello (formerly Florence, Museo Archeologico Nazionale)

Inv. No. 70822

Bib. Ambrosini 2002, 217–18 (no. 43); Chelini 2006, 58–60 (no. 14); Firmati 2009 b, 55, 57, fig. 2.

The twisted shaft of the thymiaterion features a nude youth shinnying upward carrying a falx. The tip of the falx is damaged and the curve of the instrument is not diagnostic. Though it cannot be completely ruled out that the bronze depicts a sickle rather than a pruning hook, clearly the worker is not in a position to do reaping. Cf. the falces from Talamone in appx. A, no. 8.

The type of thymiaterion is made at Vulci. Ambrosini confirms a dating of mid-fourth century B. C. E.

Published Online: 2018-10-13

Published in Print: 2018-11-07

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/etst-2018-0013

Keywords for this article

Etruscan; Cetamura del Chianti; wine; grape seeds; grapes; vineyards; viticulture; pruning hook; falx