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Finding of the Archaic Procession Frieze Plaque:
The Procession Frieze Plaque

Similarly to the other three Archaic frieze plaques, the Procession frieze plaque is around 54 cm lengthwise by 24 cm in height. Its top has a convex sturgill molding on a cavetto profile with a molded guilloche below which serves as a border. Looking at the Procession frieze plaque from left to right, it has two identical standing human figures with braided hairstyles and long clothing. These two figures hold reins of horses which pull a cart. The horses in the image are narrow, thin, and somewhat stiff-looking. The head on the inside horse is elevated compared to the horse on the outside. In the middle of the plaque there are two more human figures  seated on the cart pulled by the horses. At the right of the plaque are two small human figures, possibly women, that are balancing objects on their heads. At the bottom of the plaque is another molded guilloche border.

Interpretations of the Procession Frieze Plaque’s Iconography:

One idea is that this plaque’s imagery represents a funeral, or more specifically the journey to the funeral. The figures at the right side of the plaque are seen to be taking goods for the burial to be used by the deceased  after death. This kind of procession scene has been found also at the Etruscan site of Veii, near Rome. However, this idea that the procession is representing a funeral journey is not the only possibility. Another theme that the procession could represent is a wedding procession. This is due to the fact that two people are being carried by cart with people following behind holding goods. A third interpretation of the representation is that the people on the plaque are traveling to worship the gods. Another event the image has been connected to is a military parade of the Etruscans, in this case coming back from war. A final theory is that the procession scene represents similar iconography and ritual to that of ancient Greek processions. These ancient Greek procession scenes were made in celebration of important life passages and a ritual at festivals.