Ancient Near East, Cypro-Palestinian, Late Bronze Age, ca. 16th century BCE. An attractive pottery tankard, hand-painted in mesmerizing abstract decoration typical of the Meroitic period. Sitting upon a ring-form base, the graceful vessel presents a bulbous body with a sloped shoulder, a long neck, a flared rim, and an arched handle connecting rim to shoulder. The exterior is adorned by black and red pigments on a creamy beige-hued ground depicting horizontal bands of scrolling, geometric, and linear motifs. During the Late Bronze Age (about 1600 - 1050 BCE) Cyprus's trading contacts expanded considerably, with handcrafted pottery as a primary export. White slipware vessels like this tankard were highly sought after for both their decorative and functional value. Size: 6.5" L x 7.6" W x 8.3" H (16.5 cm x 19.3 cm x 21.1 cm)

The white "slip," the coating of thinned clay applied to the gray clay body, provided a background for various patterns in brown or black. Given their textural quality, these patterns might have been imitating ancient embroidery, woven designs, or etched decorations on gourds. The shape of this tankard, reminiscent of a gourd, would have made it an ideal vessel for wine drinking - a purpose that is further evidenced by the handle. A rare, remarkably-intact example!

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-prominent Daryl Kulok collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 2000s

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#183986

Chipping to areas or walls and foot, as well as pitting, nicks, and abrasions as shown. Otherwise, intact and excellent with good remaining pigments and chemical deposits to surface. Old collection labels to underside of base.