A unique White Painted V oval amphora from ancient Idalion
This unique piece of Archaic pottery was discovered in 1928, during the Swedish Cyprus Expedition at the ancient Kingdom of Idalion.
Figure 1. The amphora
This White Painted V oval amphora with base-ring, was discovered at the Western Acropolis of Idalion by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition around 1928. The item was found in pieces and it was fully restored. Based on its typology, it is dated in the Cypro-Archaic II period (600-475 B.C.). It is one of the three WPV specimens found by the Swedish at the site.
It has 20, 25 cm height and it is decorated with a a relief frieze. The decoration is covering the shoulder and the belly of the amphora. The relief frieze consists of a scene of dancing female figurines holding each other’s hand, in coarse execution (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Detail of the frieze.
The feet and the faces of the female figurines are in profile while the body is depicted en face. All the figurines are dressed in long chitons and short cloaks with long, wide sleeves. The hair is combed behind the ears, and falls freely down the back and shoulders (Figure 3).The amphora is now exhibited at the Cyprus Museum of Nicosia among the Cypro-Archaic II period pottery, at Room III.
The Amphora was discovered in one of the major city-kingdoms of the Iron Age, Idalion. It is situated in the centre of Cyprus, just 10 km from the copper mining area of eastern Troodos foothills. The city during the Iron Age holds a key position in the political and economic scene of the island as well as acts like a link between the mining areas and the harbour towns from which copper was exported (Hadjicosti, 2012).
Research and photos: Cyprus Archaeology Team
Bibliography
Gjerstad, E. et al. (1935) “THE SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION: Finds and Results of the Excavations in Cyprus 1927-1931. VOL. II TEXT”, The Swedish Cyprus Expedition, Stockholm
Hadjicosti, M. 2012. Idalion. In D. Pilides and N. Papadimiitriou, Ancient Cyprus: cultures in dialogue. Department of Antiquities, Cyprus.
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