Traditional Cypriot pottery

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus has a long history of mixing many cultures and empires. The island was impacted by numerous neighbouring civilizations, from the Egyptians to the ancient Greeks. Despite these influences, Cyprus managed to preserve a unique and distinct pottery tradition that reflects its culture. A window into the island's past, traditional Cypriot pottery reflects both artistic workmanship and the everyday lives of its people.

The beginning of pottery in Cyprus

Pottery-making on the island dates back to the Neolithic Period, as early as 10,000 BCE, when people first began settling the region. However, it wasn't until the Ceramic Neolithic Period (around 4400 - 3700 BCE) that early pottery started to truly appear in Cyprus. At this stage, potters across different parts of the island developed their own styles. In the north, east, and west of the island, pottery was typically decorated with "Red-on-White" designs, while in the south, monochrome red pots dominated, some of which were combed while still wet to reveal a contrasting lighter clay beneath.

Despite the various regional influences, this period's pottery style was consistent throughout Cyprus, which is what makes it so fascinating. While ceramics from neighbouring regions frequently displayed greater variety, Cypriot ceramics remained relatively consistent, which demonstrates a cohesive approach to this ancient art.

Pottery in the Bronze Age: Cyprus' rise as a trading power

As Cyprus transitioned into the Bronze Age (2600 - 1050 BCE), the island began to grow as an important trading hub in the Mediterranean. This was an era of great wealth, and pottery was an important factor to this growth. Not only was the craft essential for day-to-day living, but became a sought-after commodity across the region.

One of the most famous pottery styles from this period is Red Polished Ware, which, as the name suggests, is distinguished by its reddish-brown surface, often polished to a shine. These vessels, ranging from jugs to zoomorphic (animal-shaped) forms, were hand-crafted for centuries, even after the invention of the pottery wheel. Because of their exceptional quality and dedication to arts and crafts, Cypriot ceramics were widely sought for throughout the Mediterranean.

On the opposite side of the colour spectrum is White Painted Ware, another key style from the Bronze Age that continued into the Iron Age. These pots were made from red or brown clay, covered in a pale slip (liquid clay), and then decorated with bold, geometric patterns in black or dark brown. Even with the introduction of the pottery wheel, the early White Painted Ware vessels were made using the coil technique, which shows how skilled the Cypriot potters were.

Ancient Cypriot pottery stand out in the Mediterranean. Photo from the Hellenic Museum.

The base ring ware

Alongside Red Polished and White Painted Ware, another style, Base Ring Ware, began to appear. These pots, characterized by their thin, metallic-like clay, came in shades of red-orange, brown, grey, or black. What sets Base Ring Ware apart, however, are its unique shapes. Many of these vessels, especially the juglets and flasks, are thought to have been inspired by opium poppies, a theory supported by their decorative stripes, which resemble the cuts made on poppy heads to extract sap.

Interestingly, some archaeological studies have found traces of opium in these vessels, though whether they were used to store the substance directly or a product containing it remains a subject of debate. Whatever their purpose, these intricately crafted vessels provide us with a fascinating look into ancient Cypriot life and trade.

The Iron Age and beyond: changing times, maintaining quality

The Mediterranean region had great changes between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age (1050–700 BCE). Major powers like the Egyptians, Mycenaeans, and Hittites were in decline, and as populations shifted, so did artistic traditions. Pottery from this period in Cyprus became even more standardized and was now almost exclusively made on the pottery wheel. Popular styles from the era include Bichrome Ware, which featured two-tone designs, and Black-on-Red pottery, known for its burnished surface and simple geometric patterns.

Cyprus's ceramic styles remained unique even after it was ruled by a number of empires, including the Assyrians and Persians. The distinctive character of Cypriot pottery gradually disappeared during the Hellenistic period, which began in 333 BCE, when ceramics from the island started to adopt more and more Greek influences.

A window into the island's past. Photo from the Hellenic Museum.

The longstanding legacy of Cypriot pottery

Highly skilled potters continue making pottery using time-honoured techniques that have been passed down through generations in villages like Foini and Kornos. Like those who came before them thousands of years ago, these artisans still use local clay, shape it by hand or on a wheel, and fire it in kilns.

Holding a piece of pottery that has been made with such care, using methods that have stood the test of time, is incredibly unique in a time of mass production and disposable goods.