Bichrome jug with bird decoration
Date800-650 BCE
Periodearly Archaic
Object GeographyCyprus
Geography NotesSaid to have been "found at" Ormidhia, Cyprus
MediumCeramic (wheelmade) and red and black paint
DimensionsOverall
Height: (9 1/4 in.) 23.5 cm
Diameter (body): (6 7/8 in.) 17.5 cm
Rim
Width (exterior): (2 1/16 in.) 6.19–4.36 cm
Width (interior): (1 11/16 in.) 5.26–3.44 cm
Length (exterior): (2 15/16 in.) 7.54 cm
Length (interior): (2 3/4 in.) 7.00 cm
Thickness (wall, at rim): (3/16 in.) 0.40 cm
Base
Diameter: (2 7/8 in.) 7.3 cm
Handle
Width: (15/16 in.) 2.4 cm
Thickness: (3/8 in.) 0.92 cm
Bird
High: (3 1/8 in.) 8 cm
Wide: (3 1/8 in.) 8 cm
Height: (9 1/4 in.) 23.5 cm
Diameter (body): (6 7/8 in.) 17.5 cm
Rim
Width (exterior): (2 1/16 in.) 6.19–4.36 cm
Width (interior): (1 11/16 in.) 5.26–3.44 cm
Length (exterior): (2 15/16 in.) 7.54 cm
Length (interior): (2 3/4 in.) 7.00 cm
Thickness (wall, at rim): (3/16 in.) 0.40 cm
Base
Diameter: (2 7/8 in.) 7.3 cm
Handle
Width: (15/16 in.) 2.4 cm
Thickness: (3/8 in.) 0.92 cm
Bird
High: (3 1/8 in.) 8 cm
Wide: (3 1/8 in.) 8 cm
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN28.361
The long-necked shore bird on this jug seems to be coming in for a landing, with its wings back and long legs forward. The jug itself also takes the form of a bird with eyes on either side of its beak-like spout. The swastika was a fertility motif in antiquity.
On View
Not on viewColor
Fabric: 10YR 7/3 (very pale brown) exterior and interior
Paint: 10R 3/3 (dusky red) for red and N 2.5/ (black) for black
Inclusions
many sand, few gravel lime
650-475 BCE
900-800 BCE
800-650 BCE
8th century BCE
800-650 BCE
Cypro-Geometric Period
Unknown
1100-1000 BCE