Sardinian Bronze Votive Boat-Lamp

Along with female and male statuettes, the bronze boats are the most characteristic productions of the Nuragic plastic arts. The decoration of these small vessels, elongated in shape as this present one, or more rounded, was enriched with zoomorphic motifs; the repertory includes most often terrestrial rather than marine animals such as dogs, stags, oxen. The figures are placed on the parapet or as a figural prow. Their style, characterized by simplified and geometric shapes, correspond to that of the votive human figures.

These boats, which are an important testimony to the maritime knowledge and attitude to navigation of the ancient Sardinians, were usually hung in the sanctuaries directly from the walls of the temples, where they served as liturgical lamps. Other examples were used to illuminate the house of the living, while rare are the pieces found in the necropolises, where these vehicles were certainly had the ‘magical’ function of accompanying the deceased into the afterlife.

The keel is a solid cast; the deer protome at the end of the prow and the bird and two animals were made separately and welded to the bow and the sides of the boat. The surface of the protome, with long and developed antlers, was enriched with many incised anatomical details (eyes, nostrils, mouth, and coat). The two zoomorphic figures represent horned animals, perhaps the young bovids. Their bodies are flat and slim, their legs are welded directly to the edge of the boat.

Missing are one of deer antlers, part of the suspension hoop; breaks of metal; some lime deposits. The ancient repairs reinforce the keel both in the front and rear part of the boat: plates are folded over its edge and riveted.

Acquired on the French art market in 2006.

Kunst und Kultur Sardiniens vom Neolithikum bis zum Ende der Nuraghezeit, Karlsruhe, 1980, pp. 321-332, nos. 175-197.

LILLIU G., Sculture della Sardegna nuragica, Cagliari, 1966, pp. 429-435, no. 321; pp. 438-439, no. 327.