Le ambre figurate preromane del “Gruppo di Armento” e il “Maestro delle sfingi alate”. Produzione e diffusione tra Basilicata, Campania e Piceno

Abstract

Abstract
Italic figured ambers have long been considered by scholars as classes of "minor" materials and, often, have been examined
in a isolated way as evidence of an accessory taste compared to the great artistic expressions. However, the most
recent studies on these valuable artifacts from pre-Roman Italy, especially by evaluating them in an overall manner
within their archaeological context, have given new value to these precious objects, now increasingly elements of great
interest relating to those “luxury” productions at the center of the social life of the indigenous peoples in South Italy.
The discussion includes the carved ambers of the "Armento Group", characterized by a very refined style, probably
made by artisans from different cultural backgrounds (Greek and Etruscans) and settled in the main centers of Basilicata
to meet the huge requests from members of the Oenotrian and North-Lucanian aristocracies. Amongst these
specimens, the objects made by a very refined craftsman, the “Master of the Winged Sphinxes”, closely linked to the
Armento workshop, stand out. Since there is still no specific study on this group of carved ambers, this work will present
a preliminary review of the artifacts relating to this class, widespread especially among the indigenous settlements of
Basilicata during the second half of the 6th century BC, outlining the main stylistic elements. The aim is to reconstruct
a general framework as complete as possible of the existing objects so that it can form a basis for future monographic
studies, investigating the mechanisms of production, the workshops and the ways of diffusion, with particular attention
to contexts and the social models of reference.

Keywords: preroman carved ambers; underworld; italic aristocracies; hope of salvation; rebirth.