Cypriot Geometric Terracotta Jar

Hemispherical in form with spur to the rim, pierced for attachment; repaired. 277 grams, 12 cm wide



Ex Peter Negus collection (1920-2012), a prolific collector who worked in the insurance industry for most of his life. His wife worked for Coutts Bank for many years and they shared an enormous passion for natural history, geology and archaeology, amassing a collection. He was a member of the Geologists’ Association for over 50 years, acting as Treasurer from 1979 to 1988. Acquired from Bonhams, London, 26 October 2007, no.354 (part). From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages and an old identification tag.

Of square shape, used for making various jewellery elements: small circles, ear-drop pendants, rosettes with striated lines and locating holes on the surface. 114 grams, 63 mm



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

Plaques of this type were half of a mould for small objects such as ribbed bobbin-shaped or spherical beads or crescent-shaped pendants. They must have been made for casting, judging by the pouring channels and the circular holes for fixing it to another corresponding half. Ribbed globular and ‘grain of wheat’ gold beads were common in Cyprus and Crete. Similar moulds with pouring channels have been found in the Near East, while open moulds intended for glass ornaments with flat backs have been found in the Aegean.

Comprising twenty-two ritually broken votive fragments, including heads, torsos, and larger pieces with dress and limb detailing. 2.2 kg total, 5.2-25 cm



Acquired on the European art market in the 1970s. with Herakles Numismatik und Antiquitäten GmbH, München, Germany. Kept in the UK since 2000s.