The Etruscan Bronze Chandelier from Cortona
Late 4th century BCE – Bronze – From La Fratta, near Cortona
This monumental bronze chandelier, one of the masterpieces of Etruscan bronze craftsmanship, was discovered in 1840 near Cortona, at the site of La Fratta. Cast using the lost-wax technique and richly decorated with mythological and animal motifs, it exemplifies the artistic and technical sophistication of Etruscan metalworking workshops, likely those of Velzna (modern Orvieto).
The chandelier consists of a central shaft and a broad basin designed to hold combustible oil. Sixteen spouts alternate with protomes of Achelous, while the underside displays intricate scenes of sirens, sileni playing musical instruments, dolphins, and animal combats surrounding a central Gorgoneion.
An inscription invoking the god Tin, the supreme deity of the Etruscan pantheon, was added about a century later, suggesting the chandelier’s reuse in a ritual or sacred context—possibly within a temple in the Camucia area.
Acquired by the Etruscan Academy of Cortona in 1846, the chandelier remains one of the museum’s most emblematic artifacts, symbolizing both the city’s ancient heritage and its long-standing dedication to the study of Etruscan civilization.
