Cypriot Geometric Terracotta Jar

Comprising a round pedestal supporting four small offering pots, interspersed with four female face protomes; looped handle to the centre with parallel strokes in low-relief. 623 grams, 16 cm high



From the West German collection of H.W. Acquired from the De Mynter, Belgium, in 2011. with Gorny and Mosch, Munich, 3 June 2017, no.52. Private Portuguese R.M. collection. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.

The kernos can be recognised by a series of small cups on the lip, with examples dating back to the Bronze Age. It was used to store offerings made to the gods, specifically in cults pertaining to Demeter and Persephone. The receptacles probably contained foodstuffs, or perhaps flowers, and a lamp was sometimes placed in the centre. Kernoses, such as this, were often carried in processions at the Eleusinian Mysteries (secret initiation rites celebrating the goddesses Demeter and Persephone) and were an important object for Greek religious life. Kernoses are thus closely related to the agrarian cult and to the myth of Persephone and Demeter, the goddess of fertility and agriculture. The myth is recounted in an Homeric Hymn (c. 650 B.C.) according to which Persephone, Demeter’s daughter, was seized by Hades, the king of the underworld, who brought her to his kingdom to make her his wife. Distraught, Demeter caused a terrible drought, which continued until Persephone returned to her mother from the underworld. Having consumed pomegranate seeds whilst she was in the Underworld, she was only able to be with her for a few months of the year.

Unglazed tall juglet (bilbil) with flared foot, piriform body, tapering neck and flared mouth. strap handle; bands of bilinear ornament to the shoulder and neck. 103 grams, 13.7 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Each composed of a pair of bifacial addorsed horse-heads with filigree and granule detailing, filigree loop to each mouth, coil to each forehead, six loops to the underside each with a chain and sheet gold fruit pendant; to each face an inset glass cabochon; one with twisted wire ear hook above; both earrings with ancient chain dangles, one with a replicant horse. 18.08 grams total, 58-64 mm



Previously acquired on the UK art market between 1978-1980. Ex property of a North West London gentleman.