The phenomenology of mind and material: ceramica Argentata production in Etruria

Abstract

Ceramica argentata stands out in Etruscan ceramic production, particularly for its dialectical blending of two worlds into a finished product, metallurgy and ceramic production. Modern research on the topic primarily focuses on explaining the production sites and the step-by-step process of the production method. Recent developments in new materialist thought offer a new perspective on past analyses of ceramica argentata; the focus of this article is to demonstrate the applicability of material engagement theory (MET) on ceramica argentata to shed new light on the relationship between maker and material. This article combines past research on physicality, production and production sites with MET and the notion of prehension to break down previous delineations between mind and material, and frame new conversations around ceramica argentata. In doing so, this contribution aims to foster further conversations regarding agency and how it is produced, highlighting the role of sense-scapes and the mind as having no a priori location.