LOT 0606

Cypriot Ceramic Drinking Bowl

MIDDLE BRONZE AGE, CIRCA 2000-1650 B.C.

5 7/8 in. (173 grams, 14.9 cm wide).

Of reserved slip ware, comprising a shallow bowl with indented base, single loop handle; black glaze inside, red-brown colour outside; some restoration. [No Reserve]

Ex Peter Negus collection (1920-2012).
Acquired from Bonhams, London, 26 October 2007, no.354 (part).
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Accompanied by the original Bonhams lot tag and a much older tag with description and collection number DAA41.

Cf. Morris, D., The Art of Ancient Cyprus, Oxford, 1985, pl.18, for similar ware.

The vessel belongs to a rare form of polished ware which originally was intended to achieve a two-tone effect. In the reserved slip ware, parts of the red slip was wiped away while it was still wet, revealing patches of the pale under surface. After this the whole surface was polished and the final result was a 'trick' decoration in which the negative patches appear to be positive pattern on the dark red surface.