SHEET BRONZE HANDS, C7 BCE. MUSEO DELL'ARTE SALVATA These hands were crafted from a single sheet of bronze, folded along the edges of the elongated fingers, with embossed nails and thumbs curved outward. The partially closed wrists bear holes for attaching the plates. Similar pairs of bronze (or other metal alloy) sheet hands have been found in many tombs in Vulci, dating to around the C7 BCE, often associated with very rich funerary equipment. Traces of textile on them and their positions suggest they were parts of composite statues made from various materials, with metal sheets over perishable cores. These may be the earliest attempts at full-round statuary, meant to represent the deceased and symbolically restore their lost physical presence after cremation.

One of the most surprising displays in the #AulaOttagona of the #BathsofDiocletian in #Rome is this pair of bronze #Etruscan hands, which were probably part of an effigy of the deceased in a tomb in the #Vulci area, at the beginning of Etruscan sculpture. #AncientBluesky 🏺

FRESCO FRAGMENT, C1 CE. MUSEO DELL'ARTE SALVATA, BATHS OF DIOCLETIAN This piece of wall fresco was handed in to the Carabinieri by its owner earlier in 2025, an occurrence that is ever more frequent. However, its provenance is unknown. It has a black background. At centre, a grey square turned 45° to make a diamond shape sits at the junction of two decorative bands, like ribbons. The horizontal one is made of a gold-yellow zigzag, and the resulting triangles are filled with stylised evergreens. The vertical band has a dark red background with gold floral decorations, and is attached to the central frame with golden hooks. Above and below the horizontal band are two garlands of olive branches. At the very centre is a face, perhaps a mask, wearing a gold diadem.

This beautiful black-grounded #fresco is now on display at the #MuseodellArteSalvata in the #AulaOttagona of the #BathsofDiocletian in #Rome. It dates to around the reign of #Nero and might come from the region of #Pompeii, but we don't know. Illegal #excavations destroy context. #AncientBluesky 🏺