Amphora with Relief Decoration and Tripod Foot

Three tapering pegs connect to the almost spherical body of this vessel in order to form a tripod base. The tall neck flares gently outward from the shoulder to the lip. Incised diagonal lines decorate the two openwork handles that attach to the vessel at the lip and the shoulder. Similar groups of rope-like lines decorate the body and vase, particularly on the raised bands of the neck, body, and at the join between the two. Impressed circular depressions, sometimes in group, are scattered over the body and neck. Chips are missing from the lip, and the legs are broken and repaired.

The potters of Cyprus in the Bronze Age were quite creative, which resulted in a wide variety of shapes and designs in their hand-formed and individually decorated products. This unusual vessel may have functioned like an amphora, to hold large quantitie of liquid. An earthy red slip applied prior to firing remained red when fired in an oxidizing kiln environment, and the polished surface, which is not particularly well preserved in this case, resulted from burnishing the slip prior to firing.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.

William H. Smith, Alexandria, VA, 1959-1961 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1973, by purchase.