Ancient Near Eastern Grayware Handled Cup | Iron Age Pottery Vessel | Circa 1000 – 500 BCE
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Ancient Near Eastern Grayware Handled Cup | Iron Age Pottery Vessel | Circa 1000 – 500 BCE
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Historical Context & Origin
Region: Ancient Near East, possibly Iran or a neighbouring region of Western Asia
Material: Grayware terracotta with dark burnished surface and mineral accretions
Period: Iron Age, First Millennium BCE, circa 1000–500 BCE
Description
This ancient grayware pottery vessel is a compact handled conical cup or goblet dating to the first millennium BCE.
The form consists of a deep, broadly flaring bowl that narrows toward the lower body and rests upon a raised circular pedestal foot. A substantial loop handle extends from immediately beneath the rim to the upper side of the vessel, providing a practical grip while creating a strong and distinctive profile.
The cup appears to have been formed on a potter’s wheel, with subtle horizontal turning marks remaining visible across the body and interior. Its underlying ceramic fabric is a pale buff-grey colour, while much of the exterior retains a dark grey to nearly black surface.
This darker appearance may represent an original burnished grayware finish, firing conditions, accumulated burial staining, or a combination of these factors.
The broad mouth and deep interior would have made the vessel suitable for drinking, serving, measuring, or transferring liquids. The elevated foot allowed the cup to stand securely while visually separating the bowl from the surface beneath it.
Although its precise original use cannot be confirmed, the form belongs to a long tradition of practical handled drinking and serving vessels produced throughout ancient Western Asia.
Features
- Grayware terracotta construction
- Deep, flaring conical bowl
- Large applied loop handle
- Raised circular pedestal foot
- Dark grey to black burnished surface
- Visible wheel-forming marks
- Extensive mineral and burial deposits
- Compact, display-friendly size
Cultural Significance
Grayware pottery is an important ceramic tradition associated with several archaeological cultures of ancient Iran and the wider Near East. Such vessels were produced in numerous functional forms, ranging from cups and bowls to elaborate spouted pitchers, and were frequently finished with smooth or burnished dark surfaces.
Handled cups were practical household objects used in activities involving food, drink, preparation, and service. Their simple construction and durable forms reflect daily life more directly than monumental or ceremonial artifacts.
The pedestal foot of this example adds both stability and visual refinement, indicating that even ordinary utilitarian vessels could be produced with careful attention to proportion and form.
Condition
The vessel remains substantially intact and structurally stable, with expected age-related wear throughout. The rim displays several chips, losses, and areas of irregularity, including a more pronounced loss near the handle attachment.
Additional minor chips and abrasions are present around the pedestal foot and handle.
The surface exhibits extensive pale mineral accretions, soil deposits, discoloration, scratches, pitting, and losses to the darker original finish. A short, apparently stable surface crack or firing fissure is visible on the lower body.
Natural firing irregularities and uneven contours are present throughout, consistent with ancient handmade pottery.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 4 in
Diameter: 3 in
Age (Approximate)
2,500–3,000 years old
Provenance
Formerly in the collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, a noted New York numismatist and collector associated particularly with Armenian coinage and ancient material. Guevrekian assembled an extensive collection over several decades, and a major portion of his holdings was publicly offered as The Jack Guevrekian Collection by the Numismatic & Antiquarian Service Corporation of America in New York in 1977.
Subsequently held in a private New York City collection.
Learn More
Discover a related Iron Age greyware cup from Iran in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Explore our curated Collection of Ceramics, Pottery & Ancient Heritage Art
Descripción
Historical Context & Origin
Region: Ancient Near East, possibly Iran or a neighbouring region of Western Asia
Material: Grayware terracotta with dark burnished surface and mineral accretions
Period: Iron Age, First Millennium BCE, circa 1000–500 BCE
Description
This ancient grayware pottery vessel is a compact handled conical cup or goblet dating to the first millennium BCE.
The form consists of a deep, broadly flaring bowl that narrows toward the lower body and rests upon a raised circular pedestal foot. A substantial loop handle extends from immediately beneath the rim to the upper side of the vessel, providing a practical grip while creating a strong and distinctive profile.
The cup appears to have been formed on a potter’s wheel, with subtle horizontal turning marks remaining visible across the body and interior. Its underlying ceramic fabric is a pale buff-grey colour, while much of the exterior retains a dark grey to nearly black surface.
This darker appearance may represent an original burnished grayware finish, firing conditions, accumulated burial staining, or a combination of these factors.
The broad mouth and deep interior would have made the vessel suitable for drinking, serving, measuring, or transferring liquids. The elevated foot allowed the cup to stand securely while visually separating the bowl from the surface beneath it.
Although its precise original use cannot be confirmed, the form belongs to a long tradition of practical handled drinking and serving vessels produced throughout ancient Western Asia.
Features
- Grayware terracotta construction
- Deep, flaring conical bowl
- Large applied loop handle
- Raised circular pedestal foot
- Dark grey to black burnished surface
- Visible wheel-forming marks
- Extensive mineral and burial deposits
- Compact, display-friendly size
Cultural Significance
Grayware pottery is an important ceramic tradition associated with several archaeological cultures of ancient Iran and the wider Near East. Such vessels were produced in numerous functional forms, ranging from cups and bowls to elaborate spouted pitchers, and were frequently finished with smooth or burnished dark surfaces.
Handled cups were practical household objects used in activities involving food, drink, preparation, and service. Their simple construction and durable forms reflect daily life more directly than monumental or ceremonial artifacts.
The pedestal foot of this example adds both stability and visual refinement, indicating that even ordinary utilitarian vessels could be produced with careful attention to proportion and form.
Condition
The vessel remains substantially intact and structurally stable, with expected age-related wear throughout. The rim displays several chips, losses, and areas of irregularity, including a more pronounced loss near the handle attachment.
Additional minor chips and abrasions are present around the pedestal foot and handle.
The surface exhibits extensive pale mineral accretions, soil deposits, discoloration, scratches, pitting, and losses to the darker original finish. A short, apparently stable surface crack or firing fissure is visible on the lower body.
Natural firing irregularities and uneven contours are present throughout, consistent with ancient handmade pottery.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 4 in
Diameter: 3 in
Age (Approximate)
2,500–3,000 years old
Provenance
Formerly in the collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, a noted New York numismatist and collector associated particularly with Armenian coinage and ancient material. Guevrekian assembled an extensive collection over several decades, and a major portion of his holdings was publicly offered as The Jack Guevrekian Collection by the Numismatic & Antiquarian Service Corporation of America in New York in 1977.
Subsequently held in a private New York City collection.
Learn More
Discover a related Iron Age greyware cup from Iran in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Explore our curated Collection of Ceramics, Pottery & Ancient Heritage Art
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