Collection Online
Jug (bichrome IV ware)

Jug (bichrome IV ware)
Iron Age, Cypro-Archaic I 750 BCE-600 BCE

Medium
earthenware

Measurements
28.2 × 20.4 cm diameter

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1968
© Public Domain

Gallery location
Not on display

Download

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Cyprus

Accession Number
D147-1969

Department
Antiquities

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited

Physical description
Wheelmade jug. Large ovoid body with short flaring neck, most of which is broken. The handle extends from the rim, curves up above the rim and joins the upper body at a right angle. The handle is painted in black vertical and horizontal stripes and ends in a double barbed tail with curves upwards on either side of the handle. A single horizontal black line marks the start of the neck. The section of neck remaining below the handle indicates a single horizontal red band approximately half-way up the neck. The rim was also painted black. The remaining decoration is concentrated on the front of the vessel. A large tree (of life) is depicted consisting of a long vertical trunk and regular herringbone type of branch pattern above tree. Each branch has a bud or flower at its end. Also circular and line pattern above tree. To either side of the upper part of the tree are painted two birds, their long beaks reaching down to the buds. The birds are largely paitned in black, with some red in the wings. There is a red band around the base.