VA·30
| Inscription | |
|---|---|
| Reading in transliteration: | musu |
| Reading in original script: |   
|
|
| |
| Object: | VA·30 Gerenzano (pitcher) |
| Position: | shoulder, outside |
| Orientation: | 0° |
| Direction of writing: | dextroverse |
| Script: | Latin script |
| Letter height: | 1.8–4.3 cm0.709 in <br />1.693 in <br /> |
| Number of letters: | 4 |
| Number of words: | 1 |
| Number of lines: | 1 |
| Workmanship: | scratched after firing |
| Condition: | complete |
|
| |
| Archaeological culture: | Roman imperial period [from object] |
| Date of inscription: | late 1st c. BC–1st c. AD [from object] |
|
| |
| Type: | unknown |
| Language: | prob. Celtic |
| Meaning: | 'Musu' |
|
| |
| Alternative sigla: | Solinas 1995: 117 Morandi 2004: 130 |
|
| |
| Sources: | Morandi 2004: 608–610 no. 130 |
Images
 Inscription VA·30 from Molinari
|
 Inscription VA·30 from Morandi
|
 Olpe VA·30 Gerenzano with inscription VA·30
|
 Inscription VA·30
|
Commentary
First published in Molinari 1974: 73 f. Examined for LexLep on 27th April 2022.
Images in Molinari 1974: 74 (drawing), Morandi 2004: 609, fig. 17.130 (drawing).
Inscribed in large letters on the shoulder of the olpe (length ca. 9 cm). The alphabet is classified as Latin since this is consistent with all letter forms, but upsilon and sigma can equally be Lepontic (i.e. Lepontic alphabet with Latinised mu).
The sequence musu can be interpreted as a masculine on-stem persona name, probably, but not necessarily Celtic (see the word page). With regard to the application before firing, Tibiletti Bruno 1984: 121 assumes that the vessel was made by the potter for his own use or on commission; this presupposes that musu is the name of the owner, but a manufacturer's mark cannot be excluded (even if the prominent position on the shoulder is unusual).
