Gold pectoralFrom Cerveteri; Regolini Galassi Tomb; from the main tomb in the lower chamber675-650 B.C.Gold; max width 38.1 cm; max height 42 cmThis breastplate was worn along with the fibula belonging to the deceased; and appeared literally covered in gold before its astonished discoverers. It is formed of a single shaped sheet of metal with complex embossed decorations; executed using different punches; and structured in strips with serial motifs around a central emblem. Starting from the external strip; the decorations comprise: uniform triangles (so-called wolf's teeth); a grazing male ibex; a gryphon; a chimera; a pegasus; a rear-facing lion with a lotus flower in its mouth; a grazing deer; a winged woman in a tunic with a lotus flower sceptre; a gryphon; two strips with a winged woman in a tunic alternated with a rear-facing lion with a lotus flower in its mouth; and another with a gryphon. In the central emblem; the following motifs are presented in series; in a series of overlapping registers: male figure between two rearing lions held by their hind legs (so-called 'lord of the animals'; tamer of wild animals and living beings); rear-facing lions with lotus flowers in their mouths; a winged woman in a tunic with wild animals ('lady of the animals'); gryphons; and in the exergue; Phoenician palmettes and wolf's teeth.- inv. 20552- Vatican Museums (Gregorian Etruscan Museum)2018