Greece, Cyprus, Archaic Period, ca. 8th to 7th century BCE. A bichrome pottery vessel of an intriguing form, its round body with corsetted shoulder and lower section standing on three looped feet, with double-looped handles serving a duel purpose as they also form the curved horns of ram's heads depicted in painted relief forms on either side. Adding to this is the elaborate, painted decorative program of fine black lines, some bordered with zigzags, thicker red striations just beneath the raised rim and on the lower end of the bowl, numerous four-pointed stellar motifs occupying some panels, and perhaps most characteristic of Cypriot pottery, a target motif painted on the underside of the concave base, all on a cream-hued ground. Size: 9" W handle span x 6.125" H (22.9 cm x 15.6 cm)

At this time, Cyprus became part of a pan-Mediterranean culture that included Archaic-period Greek and Phoenician influence, and bowls like these were part of a larger trade network as well as artistic and commercial conversation. An exemplar of Greek Cypriot pottery that preceded the emergence of Classical Greek pottery,

Provenance: Ex-private collection of James Farmer, Maryland.

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#120510

Repaired from 3 to 5 pieces with some losses to the rim. Inventory number "CC86" marked on base.