The History of Jewellery | Etruscan Jewelry
Etruscan Jewelry
The Etruscans lived in Etruria (western Tuscany, Italy) and were a non Italic people whose culture was based largely on the Greek culture. The Etruscans had a profound influence on the Romans from the 7th century BC to the 5th century BC. They were eventually overcome by the Romans in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.
During the Early Etruscan Period (7th century BC to the 5th century BC), they developed their own unique methods of workmanship and characteristic styles, producing many pieces featuring intricate detail and a wide variety of styles, as shown in the examples below (from the Metropolitan Museum of Art). During this Period the Etruscans developed the art of granulation, which uses finely grained "shot" gold to create delicate patterns. This process has been recently rediscovered and is being used again by some jewelers today.
During the Late Etruscan Period (4th centuries BC to 3rd centuries BC), the workmanship took on a simpler quality. Many pieces were made with filigree openwork patterns without any backing, and often used colored beads from Phoenicia, inlay and enameling. Etruscan finger rings were often made with a scarab or a long engraved oval bezel set with a single gemstone.
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Bibliography & Suggestions for Further Study on Ancient Jewelry
1. John Tsangarides, Ancient Roman Jewellery  . Hadrians.Com
2. Luna Nuova, Etruscan Jewelry . www.lunanuova.com
3. Otto J Brendel, Etruscan Art. New Haven,Yale University
4. Bonfante, Larissa, Etruscan Life and Afterlife. Wayne State University Press
5. Oppi Untracht, Jewelry Concepts & Technology - Complete Reference Guide . Doubleday
6. Dean Wukitsch, Etruscan Granulation and Filigree . www.mmdtkw.org
7. Wikipedia, History of Etruscan Jewellery . wikipedia.org
8. F Borrelli, M Cristina Targia, S Peccatori, The Etruscans . Getty Trust Publications
9. Crystalinks, Clothing in Ancient Roman . www.crystalinks.com
10. Barbara F. McManus, Roman Clothing & Jewelry . www.vroma.org
11. Woodrow Carpenter, History of Cloisonné Technique . www.ganoksin.com
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