Ancient Cypriot Black-on-Red Ware Terracotta Pilgrim Flask | Cypro-Geometric–Cypro-Archaic Period | Circa 900 – 600 BCE

Provenance & Ownership History
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Formerly in the collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, USA, 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. The piece was subsequently handled by Artemis Fine Arts. Private New York City collection.

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Ancient Cypriot Black-on-Red terracotta flask with twin loop handles
Rotating view of an ancient Cypriot Black-on-Red terracotta flask with a compact globular body, short neck, broad everted rim, opposing loop handles, orange-red slipped surface, black painted bands, flattened underside, mineral accretions, weathering, and archaeological patina
Cypro-Geometric miniature pottery vessel with orange-red slip and black bands
Ancient Cyprus globular ceramic flask with broad rim and opposing handles
Cypro-Archaic Black-on-Red vessel with painted shoulder bands and archaeological patina
Front view of miniature Cypriot terracotta flask with everted rim and loop handles
Side view of ancient Cyprus pottery vessel showing rounded body and flattened base
Close-up of black painted decoration on an orange-red Cypriot ceramic surface
Ancient Eastern Mediterranean handled flask with mineral accretions and surface wear
Miniature Cypriot perfume or oil vessel dating to circa 900–600 BCE
Black-on-Red ware pottery flask from ancient Cyprus with intact globular form
  • Ancient Cypriot Black-on-Red terracotta flask with twin loop handles
  • Rotating view of an ancient Cypriot Black-on-Red terracotta flask with a compact globular body, short neck, broad everted rim, opposing loop handles, orange-red slipped surface, black painted bands, flattened underside, mineral accretions, weathering, and archaeological patina
  • Cypro-Geometric miniature pottery vessel with orange-red slip and black bands
  • Ancient Cyprus globular ceramic flask with broad rim and opposing handles
  • Cypro-Archaic Black-on-Red vessel with painted shoulder bands and archaeological patina
  • Front view of miniature Cypriot terracotta flask with everted rim and loop handles
  • Side view of ancient Cyprus pottery vessel showing rounded body and flattened base
  • Close-up of black painted decoration on an orange-red Cypriot ceramic surface
  • Ancient Eastern Mediterranean handled flask with mineral accretions and surface wear
  • Miniature Cypriot perfume or oil vessel dating to circa 900–600 BCE
  • Black-on-Red ware pottery flask from ancient Cyprus with intact globular form
Ancient Cypriot Black-on-Red terracotta flask with twin loop handles
Rotating view of an ancient Cypriot Black-on-Red terracotta flask with a compact globular body, short neck, broad everted rim, opposing loop handles, orange-red slipped surface, black painted bands, flattened underside, mineral accretions, weathering, and archaeological patina
Cypro-Geometric miniature pottery vessel with orange-red slip and black bands
Ancient Cyprus globular ceramic flask with broad rim and opposing handles
Cypro-Archaic Black-on-Red vessel with painted shoulder bands and archaeological patina
Front view of miniature Cypriot terracotta flask with everted rim and loop handles
Side view of ancient Cyprus pottery vessel showing rounded body and flattened base
Close-up of black painted decoration on an orange-red Cypriot ceramic surface
Ancient Eastern Mediterranean handled flask with mineral accretions and surface wear
Miniature Cypriot perfume or oil vessel dating to circa 900–600 BCE
Black-on-Red ware pottery flask from ancient Cyprus with intact globular form
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Ancient Cypriot Black-on-Red Ware Terracotta Pilgrim Flask | Cypro-Geometric–Cypro-Archaic Period | Circa 900 – 600 BCE

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: Cyprus, Eastern Mediterranean
Material: Terracotta with orange-red slip and black painted decoration
Period: Cypro-Geometric III–Cypro-Archaic I, circa 900–600 BCE

Description

This charming miniature terracotta vessel is an excellent example of ancient Cypriot ceramic craftsmanship, executed in the distinctive Black-on-Red ware tradition that flourished on the island during the early first millennium BCE.

The vessel features a compact globular body surmounted by a short neck with a broad, everted rim. A pair of opposing loop handles extends from the shoulders to the neck, creating a balanced and practical form that could be carried or suspended.

The rounded body is decorated with multiple dark painted bands encircling the shoulder, while traces of additional painted ornament remain visible across the surface. The warm orange-red slip and black linear decoration are characteristic of Cypriot Black-on-Red ceramics, one of the island’s most recognizable ancient pottery traditions.

The flattened underside allows the vessel to rest securely on a level surface. Examples of this general form are often described as miniature flasks or handled containers and may have held oils, perfumes, medicinal preparations, or other valuable liquids intended for domestic, commercial, ritual, or funerary use.

The vessel displays an attractive archaeological surface with scattered mineral accretions and areas of weathering acquired during centuries of burial. Its hand-crafted construction, painted decoration, and balanced proportions reflect the technical skill of Cypriot potters working at a time when the island occupied an important crossroads between the cultures of the Aegean, Levant, and Egypt.

Features

- Black-on-Red ware ceramic tradition

- Cypro-Geometric III–Cypro-Archaic I period

- Compact globular body with flattened underside

- Broad everted rim and short neck

- Pair of opposing loop handles

- Decorated with black painted bands

- Warm orange-red slipped surface

- Hand-formed and kiln-fired construction

- Eastern Mediterranean origin

Cultural Significance

Cyprus occupied a strategic position within the eastern Mediterranean and developed a rich ceramic tradition influenced by neighbouring cultures while maintaining distinctive local styles. Black-on-Red ware emerged as one of the island’s most recognizable pottery types and circulated through regional trade networks.

Small handled vessels of this kind were valued for their practical function as containers while also playing roles in domestic life, commerce, ritual activity, and funerary practices. Their portability and restricted capacity made them particularly suitable for storing small quantities of valuable liquids.

Condition

The vessel remains intact and displays expected age-related wear throughout. The surface exhibits mineral accretions, encrustation, scattered abrasions, and losses to the original painted decoration consistent with prolonged burial and considerable age.

Minor surface irregularities, firing imperfections, scratches, and areas of discoloration are present, as expected of ancient hand-made pottery. The vessel retains an attractive archaeological patina and remains structurally stable.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 3.5 in
Diameter: 2.5 in

Age (Approximate)

2,400–2,900 years old

Provenance

Formerly in the collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, USA, 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. The piece was subsequently handled by Artemis Fine Arts. Private New York City collection.

Learn More

View a related ancient Cypriot Black-on-Red vessel in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Explore our curated Collection of Ceramics, Pottery & Ancient Heritage Art

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Cyprus, Eastern Mediterranean
Material: Terracotta with orange-red slip and black painted decoration
Period: Cypro-Geometric III–Cypro-Archaic I, circa 900–600 BCE

Description

This charming miniature terracotta vessel is an excellent example of ancient Cypriot ceramic craftsmanship, executed in the distinctive Black-on-Red ware tradition that flourished on the island during the early first millennium BCE.

The vessel features a compact globular body surmounted by a short neck with a broad, everted rim. A pair of opposing loop handles extends from the shoulders to the neck, creating a balanced and practical form that could be carried or suspended.

The rounded body is decorated with multiple dark painted bands encircling the shoulder, while traces of additional painted ornament remain visible across the surface. The warm orange-red slip and black linear decoration are characteristic of Cypriot Black-on-Red ceramics, one of the island’s most recognizable ancient pottery traditions.

The flattened underside allows the vessel to rest securely on a level surface. Examples of this general form are often described as miniature flasks or handled containers and may have held oils, perfumes, medicinal preparations, or other valuable liquids intended for domestic, commercial, ritual, or funerary use.

The vessel displays an attractive archaeological surface with scattered mineral accretions and areas of weathering acquired during centuries of burial. Its hand-crafted construction, painted decoration, and balanced proportions reflect the technical skill of Cypriot potters working at a time when the island occupied an important crossroads between the cultures of the Aegean, Levant, and Egypt.

Features

- Black-on-Red ware ceramic tradition

- Cypro-Geometric III–Cypro-Archaic I period

- Compact globular body with flattened underside

- Broad everted rim and short neck

- Pair of opposing loop handles

- Decorated with black painted bands

- Warm orange-red slipped surface

- Hand-formed and kiln-fired construction

- Eastern Mediterranean origin

Cultural Significance

Cyprus occupied a strategic position within the eastern Mediterranean and developed a rich ceramic tradition influenced by neighbouring cultures while maintaining distinctive local styles. Black-on-Red ware emerged as one of the island’s most recognizable pottery types and circulated through regional trade networks.

Small handled vessels of this kind were valued for their practical function as containers while also playing roles in domestic life, commerce, ritual activity, and funerary practices. Their portability and restricted capacity made them particularly suitable for storing small quantities of valuable liquids.

Condition

The vessel remains intact and displays expected age-related wear throughout. The surface exhibits mineral accretions, encrustation, scattered abrasions, and losses to the original painted decoration consistent with prolonged burial and considerable age.

Minor surface irregularities, firing imperfections, scratches, and areas of discoloration are present, as expected of ancient hand-made pottery. The vessel retains an attractive archaeological patina and remains structurally stable.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 3.5 in
Diameter: 2.5 in

Age (Approximate)

2,400–2,900 years old

Provenance

Formerly in the collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, USA, 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. The piece was subsequently handled by Artemis Fine Arts. Private New York City collection.

Learn More

View a related ancient Cypriot Black-on-Red vessel in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Explore our curated Collection of Ceramics, Pottery & Ancient Heritage Art

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