Cypriotic Terracotta Cypriot Red Polished Black-Topped Bowl - 7 cm

Small Cypriot Red Polished Ware bowl with a deep, approximately hemispherical body and rounded base. The hand-built vessel displays the characteristic bichromatic surface effect, with a predominantly reddish to reddish-brown body contrasting with a dark grey to black upper zone and interior.

The vessel has a compact and well-balanced form. From the rounded base, the walls rise evenly outwards before drawing slightly inward towards the mouth. There is no separately formed foot. The opening is broad and almost circular, with a simple, slightly thickened rim.

A small applied projection or lug is preserved at the rim, providing a distinctive feature on the otherwise undecorated vessel.

Surface and Firing

Particularly characteristic is the vessel's contrasting coloration. The lower body displays predominantly reddish-brown to orange-brown tones, while the surface gradually changes towards dark grey and black in the upper section. The interior is likewise predominantly dark to black.

This combination is characteristic of the Black-Topped variant of Red Polished Ware, in which differently coloured surface zones were produced through controlled firing conditions.

After forming, the surface was carefully smoothed and polished. Traces of the original finishing process remain visible in places. The once more pronounced burnished sheen survives only partially due to age and use.

Typological Classification

The bowl can be placed within the tradition of Early Bronze Age Cypriot Red Polished Ware. Comparable vessels display deep hemispherical bodies, rounded bases and the characteristic combination of a red-polished surface with a dark or black-fired upper section.

A particularly close comparative group consists of vessels generally classified as Red Polished (Black-Topped) Ware bowls of the Early Cypriot I period, dating approximately to 2300–2100 BC.

Cultural Context

Red Polished Ware represents one of the characteristic ceramic traditions of Bronze Age Cyprus. Vessels were generally hand-built, carefully smoothed and frequently highly burnished.

Alongside vessels with an entirely red-polished surface, examples with black or dark-grey areas are also known. The contrast between the warm reddish-brown body and the dark upper zone gives Black-Topped vessels their distinctive appearance.

Condition

Good archaeological condition consistent with age. The vessel is largely complete. The surface displays age-related wear, earthy and mineral deposits, discolouration, minor chips and irregularities.

Traces of the original burnishing remain visible in places, while other areas show greater surface wear. The characteristic reddish-brown and black-grey firing colours remain clearly visible. Minor age-related chips are present along the rim.

Provenance

Formerly in the Madeleine & Erich Dammann Collection, Germany. Acquired during the owners' extensive travels between 1950 and 1970. The collection has been documented in Germany since 1970 and remained in continuous family ownership thereafter.

As was customary for private purchases made in local markets during the 1950s–1970s, purchase receipts or invoices were generally neither issued nor requested. The provenance is documented through continuous family ownership, historical photographs, and supporting biographical records.