Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleFlask

About this objectThis round-bodied flask has been repaired from several fragments. Possibly broken while it was in the grave, the flask found in a Bronze Age pit-tomb near Nicosia in Cyprus. Small flasks like this are often associated with perfumes and other scented oils.

The surface of this flask was covered in a red slip that has fired black over the top section. Concentric circles have been incised in two levels around the body, and are connected by groups of four lines, both horizontally and diagonally. This pattern is sometimes referred to as a 'sling-net' pattern, and it is thought to be a stylised representation of the nets used to carry similar bottles and flasks. The lines show the string being joined by the circles, which represent knots. Concentric circles are also a common decorative element in Cypriot pottery.

Date Made21st Century BC

PeriodEarly Cypriote

Place MadeCyprus

Place NotesExcavated from Ayia Paraskevi, tomb 11

Medium and MaterialsCeramic: Pottery

Style and IconographyCypriote

Style and IconographyRed polished III

Style and IconographyGeometric patterns

TechniqueMolding (forming)

TechniqueIncising

TechniqueSlip trailing (relief line)

MeasurementsHeight 78mm (preserved); Diameter ca. 85mm

Subject and Association KeywordsMourning customs

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LineDonated by the Melbourne University Cyprus Expedition, care of Dr J.B. Hennessy, University of Sydney, 1973.

Object TypeFlasks

Object number125.73