The Basse-Yutz Flagons: oinochoe
- Gallery: Room 50
- Culture: Iron Age; La Tène I
- Made in: France (Eastern)
- Date: 420 BC - 360 BC (circa)
- Object type: oinochoe, flagon
- Materials: copper alloy; coral; glass
- Museum number: 1929,0511.1
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you is "The Basse-Yutz Flagons," a beautifully crafted oinochoe or flagon dating to the Iron Age. This small vessel was made in eastern France but closely imitates Etruscan designs from Italy. It is richly decorated, with an inlaid coral and red glass 'enamel' at the foot, spout, and handle.
The body was carefully hammered from a single sheet of copper alloy, with the foot and base later added. The spout, shaped like a beak, is riveted to the body, and the handle is carved in the form of a dog or wolf, ending in a stylised human mask. You’ll also notice intricate La Tène palmette decoration and a small duck at the top of the spout, showing a blend of artistic influences.
These flagons were likely used for serving wine or mead at feasts, and they were discovered in a grave, suggesting the person was important. Despite their age, their craftsmanship and mixed styles tell us a lot about cultural connections in ancient Europe.
See it in person
The Basse-Yutz Flagons: oinochoe is on display in Room 50 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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