BUCCHERO

   The distinctive black Etruscan pottery that imitated a metallic finish through heavy burnishing (polishing) and reduction (firing conditions deprived of oxygen, which give a black finish) in its manufacture. Early bucchero (seventh century BC) produced initially in Caere is thin (sottile), with geometric and Orientalizing decoration, gradually moving to other places of production such as Veii, Tarquinia, and Vulci. Bucchero was made in highly distinctive forms (including amphorae, jugs, chalices, dippers, and drinking cups), given very recognizable, initially Orientalizing, decoration, was widely produced in Etruscan cities and widely traded in the Mediterranean. Later, bucchero (from the end of the sixth century BC) became heavy (pesante), with thick walls bearing stamped reliefs, and grey (grigio). At this stage production moved to Chiusi.

   See also AMYCLAE; AMPURIAS; ATHENS; BETTOLLE; BROLIO; CAERE; CAP D’ANTIBES; CASTELLUCCIO DI PIENZA; CHIOS; COMEANA; CORFU; CORINTH; DELOS; FONTE VENEZIANA; GIFT GIVING; GIGLIO; ITHACA; KITION; KOSIEZLEC; LATTES; LIGNANO; PERACHORA; PIEVE A SOCANA; POMPEI; POPULONIA; QUINTO FIORENTINO; RAS-EL-BASSIT; RHODES; ROSELLE; SAINT BLAISE; SAINT-PIERRE-LES-MARTIGUES; SAMOS; SMYRNA; TAMARIS; THARROS; TRADE; VIGNANELLO; VULCI.