Riccardo Colucci, the armoured frigate Arapiles and the National Archaeological Museum’s collection of Cypriot antiquities

The scientific expedition of the armoured frigate Arapiles led by Juan de Dios de la Rada across the Mediterranean in 1871 brought to the National Archaeological Museum a collection of 319 objects from Italy and the eastern Mediterranean. Of these, just over 77 came from Cyprus and all were donated by the Italian Consul in Larnaca, Riccardo Colucci. Here we analyse his role as a collector and his relationship with the donation to the Museum, highlighting the importance of his figure in the genesis of the Museum’s collection of archaeological objects.

Collection: Texts

Project: 11. Science and culture as representation in Europe., 9. Travels and travelers: economic, social and cultural connections.

Chronology: -

Scope: Secondary Education

Link: http://www.man.es/man/dam/jcr:26e4106c-34a4-493d-962e-63f403e13a29/2021-bolman-40-21-varas.pdf

Resource type: pdf

Format: Texts

Owner: Arqueological National Museum of Spain (MAN) (Modernalia)

Abstract: The scientific expedition of the armoured frigate Arapiles led by Juan de Dios de la Rada across the Mediterranean in 1871 brought to the National Archaeological Museum a collection of 319 objects from Italy and the eastern Mediterranean. Of these, just over 77 came from Cyprus and all were donated by the Italian Consul in Larnaca, Riccardo Colucci. Here we analyse his role as a collector and his relationship with the donation to the Museum, highlighting the importance of his figure in the genesis of the Museum's collection of archaeological objects.