In the last meeting of the Erasmus Plus HAND! project, held at the Albero della Tuscia Libertarian School in Farnese (VT), elementary school children concluded the course on Etruscan crafts by making a plaque pendant depicting the Etruscan Chimera.
Before beginning the hands-on activity, the children learned about the history and significance of the Chimera, a mythological creature depicted with a lion’s body, a goat’s head on its back and a snake-like tail. Among the most famous depictions was shown the Chimera of Arezzo, a fifth-century B.C. bronze sculpture found in 1553 and now housed in the National Archaeological Museum in Florence.
In Greek mythology, the Chimera is a symbol of chaotic and destructive forces, but in Etruscan art it may also have taken on a meaning of protection and divine power. Its connection with the otherworldly world and its depiction on votive objects suggest a connection with the spirituality and religious beliefs of the Etruscans.
After the introductory part, the children began the creation of their pendant, following the techniques learned in the previous meetings and using the technique of embossing on metal.
To make the process accessible to all, the children were given a stylized, line drawing of the Chimera, which they transferred to the copper plate by overlapping the sheet and tracing the outlines with a pen. This first etching was then finished with burins to accentuate details and create a more pronounced three-dimensional effect. Once the design was complete, they cut out the shape of the pendant, beveled the edges, and, to make the pendant safer and more comfortable to wear, a thin layer of hot glue was applied to the back, which softened the reliefs and covered any sharp edges. Finally, with the help of jewelry pliers, the children drilled a hole in the plaque and inserted a connecting ring, finishing it off with a lanyard.
This activity allowed the children to approach history through manual dexterity and creativity. Working with metal with their own hands, they were able to experience ancient techniques and discover the symbolic value of Etruscan artifacts. Each pendant, although starting from the same design, took on different nuances, thus becoming a unique and personal piece. This meeting closed the journey with a tangible memento of the work done, transforming knowledge into a concrete lived experience.
