Amber Ship with Figures in the Getty Villa, June 2016

Title: Pendant: Ship with Figures

Artist/Maker: Unknown

Culture: Etruscan

Place: Italy (Place created)

Date: 600–575 B.C.

Medium: Amber

Object Number: 76.AO.76

Dimensions: 35 × 10 × 120 mm (1 3/8 × 3/8 × 4 3/4 in.)

Credit Line: Gift of Gordon McLendon

Alternate Titles: Pendant with a Ship Carrying Sailors (Alternate Title)
Carved Ship with Sailors (Alternate Title)
Ship Carrying Sailors (Display Title)

Object Type: Male figure

Pendant carved in the shape of a cargo ship carrying sailors. The boat has a deeply rounded hull, a knoblike protrusion (likely the sternpost) on one end, and a raised rectangular structure on the other end, which may represent the stern castle. The ship contains seven figures: three figures face frontally out from each side and a seventh bearded figure is depicted in profile on both sides, sitting somewhat higher up than the other six sailors. A sack is tied in front of the bearded sailor. All of the sailors have large bulging eyes and schematic mouths. The pendent is perforated with three sets of bore-holes at the bow, stern, and amidships.


Text from: www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/7384/unknown-maker-pendant-ship-with-figures-etruscan-600-575-bc