This February 13th, 2024 marks the 4th *We Love Italy Cocktail Party*, presented in collaboration with American Club of Rome, PWA, American Exchange, The American University of Rome, Martini and friends, Temple University that took place in Rome at the stunning Art Deco Hotel Mediterraneo.
Last year’s event – photos here – raised a staggering €3,500 for ETRU – National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia.
We are delighted to reveal that the funds will finance the restoration of some of the significant gold jewellery found in the Tomba degli ‘Ori’ at Narce (Tomb 103 in the Monte Cerreto necropolis) in the late 1800s. The ancient items, which date to the mid 7th century B.C., include a necklace, dress ornaments, an ornate pin, a pendant and the twisted bands (18) used by Faliscan ladies in their hair. The large number of precious objects, many with oriental influences, in the funeral goods found in the chamber tomb (which were to form the basis of the museum’s collections) suggests that it belonged to an aristocratic woman whose fortune was linked to the wealth and development of Narce in the 8th and 7th centuries B.C.. Furthermore, it had not been looted
The restoration will also offer the opportunity for research into the gold-making techniques pioneered over 2,500 years ago, such as the granulation that features on the necklace with its minute, delicately engraved hanging figures and the “slug” pin (2) which would have been used to fasten a garment at the shoulder. The team are also very keen to look further into the dress ornaments, the two gold plaques (14): one features naked female figures that have been linked to the iconography of the goddess Ishtar but the second has yet to be cleaned and examined in depth.
The objects are on display in Sala 32 until the restoration begins.
foto LoveItaly, ETRU
