Cypriot Terracotta Juglet

Middle Bronze Age, Late Cypriot I, c. 1900–1450 BC, Cyprus

This fascinating and rare bulbous-bodied juglet exemplifies the artistry of Middle Bronze Age Cyprus. Crafted from polished terracotta with black slip paint, the vessel’s most striking feature is its tall, cut-away spout, adorned with highly abstract, anthropomorphic elements molded onto both the spout and body. The vertical loop handle, rising from the vessel’s highest point to the side of the spout, includes a tall thumb rest for added grip. A pierced knob on the front, possibly representing a nose, and two circular holes interpreted as ears, further enhance its anthropomorphic character.

The jug’s body is richly decorated with net lozenges and coiling snakes in relief, both motifs characteristic of Middle Bronze Age Cypriot art. It is believed that vessels like this were handmade by women, though their exact purpose—whether for household use or religious offerings—remains uncertain.

The cut-away spout juglet is an iconic ceramic form within the limited repertoire of Philia-period pottery, as documented by Webb & Frankel. The Middle Bronze Age (1900–1600 BC) followed the Early Bronze Age and initially saw a period of peaceful development. Archaeological excavations at sites such as Marki Alonia, Alambra Mouttes, and Pyrgos Mavroraki provide insights into the architecture and economy of the time. These settlements reveal multi-roomed, rectangular houses with narrow lanes facilitating movement within the community. However, toward the end of the Middle Bronze Age, fortresses were constructed, signaling a period of unrest for reasons still debated by scholars.

The most important Bronze Age cemeteries, located at Bellapais, Lapithos, Kalavasos, and Deneia, have yielded an extensive collection of pottery, with notable examples available for study online. This exceptional juglet stands as a testament to the skilled craftsmanship and artistic sensibilities of Middle Bronze Age Cyprus, making it a remarkable addition to any collection of ancient Cypriot artifacts.

Good condition. Intact. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age and use, with encrusted deposits. Surface of slip worn. Size approx. 14,1cm x 8,8cm x 8,7cm.

Provenance: Swedish private collection. The object was acquired in travels in between 1900-1925.

For a similar examples see: 

Cypriot buffware jug with beaked spout with linear ornament, Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center | Vassar College, Accession Number: CC48.254 (https://emuseum.vassar.edu/objects/12410/cypriot-buffware-jug-with-beaked-spout-with-linear-ornament)