Cypriot Amphora with combs: Early Cypriot III- Middle Cypriot I (2100–1850BC)

Handmade pottery storage jar (‘amphora’) in red polished ware. Notable for 4 detailed depictions, on each side and under the handles, of combs or brushes, similar to pottery comb figures and small picrolite pendants, and possibly depicting carding combs.  A larger, more explicit version of a shape seen mainly on some plank figures, usually on their backs, possibly representing pendants (see DJ 99 & 160).  The globular body with rounded base and tall cylindrical neck with everted rim; pair of opposing horned handles from lower neck to shoulder; decorated with lime-filled incisions. The 4 combs have handles bounded, hatched and crossed; middle part with horizontal parallel lines; lower part unbounded vertical parallel lines. Also zig-zags on rim, handles, neck base, between comb handles, and bottom of body. On the neck a horizontal band defined with double lines and parallel zig-zag band below.  Three columns of hatched  checkerboards between each comb.

Repaired from several fragments with small areas of infill and overpainting.

Published in: Morris D, The Art of Ancient Cyprus (Oxford 1985), 67, Pl. 102b; p141 Pl. 176c,d

Cf. British Museum, Museum number 1888,0927.29