ANTİKA JOURNAL · The History Blog
Etruscan Bronze Artifact Deliberately Blackened
A new multidisciplinary study has revealed that the black patina of a rare Etruscan bronze statue was intentionally created in antiquity.
While very little information exists about Etruscan art casting techniques, this finding provides greater insight into the production processes of large ancient bronze sculptures.
The hollow-cast bronze statue discovered in 1567 is housed in the National Archaeological Museum in Florence and is known to represent Aule Metli, an Etruscan senator.
The statue depicts him wearing a toga and raising his hand in an oratorical gesture.
Researchers analyzed the statue's metal composition and production processes.
Tests revealed dark copper oxide in several preserved areas.
This structure indicates a relationship with heating.
While the copper alloy typically forms a red layer first, the darker layer develops later.
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