Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 137, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Bowl

13th century or 14th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

At the end of the twelfth century, Cyprus was conquered by Crusaders, whose descendants ruled for almost 400 years, from 1191 to 1571. During that time, Cyprus became the most important commercial centre in the east Mediterranean, acting as the principal trading hub between western Europe and the countries of the Levant. During this period, production of ceramics flourished, supplying local demand, but also a broad trading network with countries in the east, where the products of Cyprus are frequently found in excavations.

The two principal production centres were at Lemba, near Paphos, in the south west of the island, and at Lapithos, in the district of Kyrenia on the north coast. In addition, there was probably a production centre at Kato Paphos and at Enkomi, near Famgusta, but the evidence for these centres is not as well preserved as at Lemba and Lapithos. The medieval glazed pottery of Cyprus is a local variation of late- and post-Byzantine pottery and shares the same basic features as ceramics produced in the rest of the Byzantine world. It also has affinities with the so-called "Crusader" pottery of Syria and Palestine and shows evidence of considerable western influence, particularly in the decorative subject matter.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Earthenware with incised decoration
Brief description
Red earthenware covered with a white slip and with incised decoration enhanced with splashes of yellow and green. Cyprus, 13th or 14th century.
Physical description
Body with sides sloping slightly inwards, supported on a short foot. Decorated inside with scrolled devices in square compartments
Dimensions
  • Taken from register height: 8.3cm
  • Taken from register diameter: 17.1cm
Style
Credit line
Bought
Production
Found in Cyprus.
Summary
At the end of the twelfth century, Cyprus was conquered by Crusaders, whose descendants ruled for almost 400 years, from 1191 to 1571. During that time, Cyprus became the most important commercial centre in the east Mediterranean, acting as the principal trading hub between western Europe and the countries of the Levant. During this period, production of ceramics flourished, supplying local demand, but also a broad trading network with countries in the east, where the products of Cyprus are frequently found in excavations.

The two principal production centres were at Lemba, near Paphos, in the south west of the island, and at Lapithos, in the district of Kyrenia on the north coast. In addition, there was probably a production centre at Kato Paphos and at Enkomi, near Famgusta, but the evidence for these centres is not as well preserved as at Lemba and Lapithos. The medieval glazed pottery of Cyprus is a local variation of late- and post-Byzantine pottery and shares the same basic features as ceramics produced in the rest of the Byzantine world. It also has affinities with the so-called "Crusader" pottery of Syria and Palestine and shows evidence of considerable western influence, particularly in the decorative subject matter.
Bibliographic reference
Demetra Papanikola-Bakirtzi, Mesaioniki Ephyalomeni Keramiki tis Kyprou ta Ergasteria Paphou kai Lapithou (Medieval Glazed Pottery from Cyprus :The Workshops at Paphos and Lapithos), Thessaloniki, 1966
Collection
Accession number
1406-1901

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest