Replica of Situla from Va?e
This Situla from Va?e is a replica and the original can be found in the National Museum in Ljubljana, Slovenia. A situla is a ceremonial drinking vessel made of sheet bronze with bas relief decorations. The original was made during the Iron Age (500 BCE) and was found in the latter half of the 19th century CE in central Slovenia. It is considered the highest quality vessel of its kind in general terms and a most precious archeological artifact from this region.
The situla has three rows of bas relief depicting the life of the ruling class and a religious understanding of the world for that century. The metalwork uses the repoussé (toreutic) technique and shows noble figures in chariots (first frieze), gymnastic completions (second frieze), a struggle for life and death (third frieze) and throughout the reliefs are native Alpine costumed people. The situla is a fine example of the skilled artisanship of the local area.
President of the Republic of Slovenia, Milan Ku?an, presented the gift on the occasion of the admission of Slovenia to the United Nations in 1992, and Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali accepted it.