Cypriot Base Ring I Ware jug: Late Cypriot I (1600 – 1450 BC)

A slightly smaller than usual jug of the larger of two types, popularly known as Poppy jugs or bilbils.  This is the  earlier and finer Base Ring I Ware. This hard, thin walled ware, made from highly levigated clay, is often characterised by  applied, linear decoration in relief.  The later Base Ring II version, with thinner slip and painted decoration, was made in large numbers and widely exported in the Western Mediterranean.  When exported these larger jugs are thought to have contained perfumed oil. It is thought that the much smaller juglets may have contained opium. For a while this was questioned but has recently been confirmed by analysis of residues.  Like many bilbils this one tilts backwards.