Zoomorphic Jug, Cyprus Bronze Age

Zoomorphic jug in the form of a quadruped Cyprus

Early Bronze Age (2200 BC – 1600 BC)
Accidents and restorations
L. 26 cm H. 17 cm
Provenance: former Parisian collection

The pottery known as "Red Polished Ware" marked a significant shift in the history of Cypriot ceramics, primarily in decoration rather than the morphology of the pieces produced. The pottery was still handcrafted. The finished pot was coated with a slip of liquid clay and then polished to achieve an extremely smooth finish. The amount of iron oxide in the clay, combined with subsequent incised decorations, allowed for a variety of patterns.

Comparanda:

Incisions
ouvre AM 2558, -2000 / -1800 (Middle Cypriot I)

Quadrupeds
Louvre vase AO 17511 -1800 / -1725 (Middle Cypriot II) Louvre AM 3797; S 152, 1725-1600 BC Middle Cypriot III

Spout
Louvre AO 17522 Circa 2000 BC