A Bronze Situla in the Museo Cristiano of the Vatican Library

1 Studies in the Art of the Museo Cristiano of the Vatican Library (VI), edited by C. R. Morey and E. Baldwin Smith.

Abstract

This paper is concerned with a bronze situla or liturgical bucket which has as its chief decoration a scene representing Christ with the twelve apostles. The situla (Figs. 1–3), of somewhat conical shape, is provided with a semicircular handle, and measures 23 cm. in height and 19 cm. in diameter. The entire exterior is decorated with incised figures and ornamental designs, in three bands. The technique is rather rude, consisting of short lines, and lines of dots and dashes. In addition, the surface of the situla is quite badly corroded, so that it is difficult to make out the exact character of some elements of the decoration.