Cypriot Bichrome IV Earthenware Amphora
Cypro-Archaic II (600-475 BC). Height 14.1cm. Diameter 8.8cm, diameter of base 4.6cm
An amphora with a raised, slightly concave base and an ovoid body. It has a tall, concave neck with a spreading rim, and round horizontal raised handles attached at the shoulder. Made of hard pinkish-buff clay with a matte pinkish-buff slip, and decorated in matte orange-red and dark grey paint. Grey bands encircle the middle of the body. The shoulder is decorated with groups of grey concentric circles and additional encircling grey lines. A grey band runs around the base of the neck. The neck is further decorated with red bands and grey lines, while a grey band encircles the rim and continues inside the upper neck. The handles are painted grey.
The amphora was excavated by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition in 1929 at Marion, from Tomb 72. It has been part of the collection of the Medelhavsmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden (Inv. No.: M. 072:048) since 1931.