Etruscan bulla, 5th century BC. In yellow gold.... Lot 47

Etruscan bulla, 5th century BC. In yellow gold. Measures: 2,5 x 2,3 cm. Etruscan bulla entirely made of gold. Of circular format, it has the surface of both caps profusely decorated with granulation. Although very common in Ancient Rome, the origin of the bullae dates back to the Etruscan civilization. It was an amulet that was put on male children nine days after their birth, which protected them by scaring away evil spirits, and which they wore throughout adolescence, hanging around their necks until they reached adulthood. The use of these pieces survived in the Visigothic period in a residual form, and they were hung from the neck as well as from the belt.