Etruscan bronze colander

The Etruscan bronze colander features a shallow central saucepan, the internal base of which is painstakingly drilled into concentric circles. The handle in on the upper face made by dotted lines that form an ivy leaf. The handle of this piece is not complete: only the start of the ring from which it was hung remains. 

Undoubtedly, it is a piece of Etruscan origin and the only example documented in the Peninsula within an archaeological context. This extraordinary piece was found accompanied by other Attic Greek ceramics, a gold ring with spiral decoration and a brooch (of the Hispanic ring fibula type), in a female tomb. 

The presence of an Etruscan piece in Vilajoiosa tells us of a direct relationship with Greek merchants. This tomb is also part of a group of female tombs, something characteristic of Greek culture. Some indications, such as these, rekindle the debate on whether there were Greek colonies in the south of Ampurias and Rosas, as suggested by ancient sources, which mention Alonís, the Greek name of the city of Àlon (Vilajoiosa), created by the Phoenicians in the VII century BC.

Necropolis of Poble Nou, Doctor Fleming road sector, tomb 32
Height: 30 mm; Length: 280 mm; diam.: 145 mm;
Orientalizing or Ancient Iberian period (6th century BC)
Inv. Vilamuseu: 003370