Discovered in a tumulus near Ruets (Yurukler), Targovishte municipality

Bronze, silver inlays
H 42 cm; D (rim) 11 cm; D (foot) 12.9 cm
Second half of 5th c. BC

The vessel has an out-turned rim decorated with an ovoid ornament. The neck is high, the body – ovoid with prominent shoulders. The foot and the handles (two vertical and one horizontal above the mouth) are cast. They are elaborately moulded and additionally attached to the vessel’s mouth and body. The vertical handles are ornate with floral motifs in relief – sprouts with palmettes and volutes. Silver buds point to the centre of the latter. The lower end has a frontal image of a siren with outstretched wings in high relief. Rings on the top of the handles serve for hanging the omegashaped horizontal handle above the rim.

The amphora was found together with a strainer that fits on the mouth of the vessel. The strainer has a wide shallow periphery and a recess in the middle – the bottom of the deep part has densely arranged small holes that outline a six-leaf rosette in a circle. Two opposite handles (not preserved) were attached to the periphery.

The exhibit can be seen in the Treasury Hall of the National Archaeological Museum.

Bibliography:

Велков 1929: И. Велков, Нови могилни находки. – Известия на Българския археологически институт, V, 1928/29, 13-55.

Teleaga 2008: E. Teleaga. Griechische Importe in den Nekropolen an der unteren Donau 6. Jh. – Anfang des 3. Jhs. v. Chr., (=Marburger Studien zur Vorund Frühgeschichte, 23), 2008.