White Painted small storage jar (amphora)
Date1100-1000 BCE
Periodend of the Late Bronze Age to the Early Geometric
CultureCypriot
MediumCeramic (wheelmade) with dark reddish-gray paint
ClassificationCeramics
ProvenanceFound by Luigi Palma di Cesnola (American Consul to Cyprus, 1865–1876); purchased by subscription by the Metropolitan Museum of Art 1874-1876; (sale, the Anderson Galleries, New York), April 20, 1928; purchased by John Ringling; bequest to The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 1936-present.
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN28.415
Jars known as amphoras come in many shapes and sizes. This one most likely held liquids because of its narrow neck. The light green to gray color of the clay is a result of a purposeful overfiring of the vessel. This may have made the vessel more water tight.
On View
Not on viewHeight: 7 7/8 in. (20 cm)
Width (at handles): 6 11/16 in. (17 cm)
Diameter (body): 5 13/16 in. (14.75 cm)
Base
Diameter: 2 1/8 in. (5.42 cm)
Rim
Diameter (exterior): 3.0 in. (7.57 cm)
Diameter (interior): 2 7/16 in. (6.15 cm)
Neck
Diameter (at bottom): 1 7/8 in. (4.78 cm)
Diameter (at narrowest): 1 1/2 in. (3.78 cm)
Thickness (wall): 1/4 in. (0.65 cm)
Handle
Width: 2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm)
Diameter (handle of rolled clay): 7/16 in. (1.04-1.09 cm)
Width (handle as it sticks out from body): 1.0 in. (2.52 cm)
Medium Details
Color
Fabric: 2.5Y 7/2 (light gray) to 2.5Y 6/2 (light brownish gray)
Paint: 10R 4/1 (dark reddish gray)
Inclusions
some sand
900-800 BCE
650-475 BCE
1050–900 BCE
