Cypriot Bichrome II Earthenware Plate
Cypro-Geometric I-II (1050-850 BC). Height 4.8cm. Diameter 21.4cm, diameter of base 14.5cm
A plate with a wide, flat base and a wide, shallow body. The rim is plain, with a round horizontal handle attached at the edge. Made of hard pinkish-buff clay with a matte buff slip, and decorated in matte dark red and dark grey paint. The base features a grey Maltese cross, framed by red and grey concentric circles and an additional grey hatched concentric circle. From this centre point radiate four grey framed latticed triangles and four grey winged, latticed lozenges. Grey lines encircle the lower body, and a grey band runs around the rim. The handle is painted grey. The interior of the plate has grey concentric circles decorating both the lower body and the bottom.
The plate was excavated by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition in 1930 at Amathus at level 17 of a chamber in Tomb 19. It has been part of the collection of the Medelhavsmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden (Inv. No. A. 019:026) since 1930.