A CLASSIC EARLY FORM 8287. LARGE VILLANOVAN BICONICAL URN. Etruria. 8th-7th century BC. The heavy single handled bucchero vessel covered with complex incised geometric designs including large ornamented swastikas in triple squares around the waist. 12 x 15.5 inches. Intact with a couple of minor abrasions one side with no repair or restoration. An especially large and fine example said to be from Tarquinia. Museum quality and very rare this nice. Provenance: The Paul Suttman collection. Acquired by Suttman in the 1960's when he lived in Italy as a fellow of the American Academy of Rome. Three time recipient of the prestigious Prix de Rome Paul Suttman (1933-1993) was an internationally known American sculptor who produced many impressionistic figurative works in bronze. Mr. Suttman's work is represented in the Museum of Modern Art, the Morgan Library, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington. More information on Suttman can be found at NY times obituary. Acquired by the current owner from the Suttman estate in the 1990's. The Villanovan culture was the earliest Iron Age culture of central and northern Italy. It was the precursor to the Etruscan culture which followed it and heavily influenced the Romans in turn. Villanovan artiquities are quite rare, especially large pieces of this quality. $12,000.