The Byzantine artefacts of the Bridges collection are typical of the wares that were being made in the ceramic workshops of Cyprus during this period, which were made up of predominately glazed ceramics with sgraffito decoration.
The Byzantine potters began production of sgraffito ware in the thirteenth-century, with the fourteenth-century as their highpoint. The term sgraffito refers to redware pottery, where a sharp instrument has been used to etch decorations into a thin layer of clay slip.
It is clear that the Byzantine potters took care to make sure that these dishes, cups and bowls were aesthetically pleasing.
Historical Background
Following the division of the Roman Empire by Diocletian, Cyprus came under the juristiction of the East. The cities of Cyprus were destroyed by two successive earthquakes in 332 adn 342 AD which marked the end of an era. Most cities were not reoccupied, while Salamis was rebuilt on a smaller scale and renamed Constantia after Constantius II, which became the new capital of the island.
During this time (Fifth- Seventh-centuries AD) the Christianisation of the landscape was marked by the foundation of a number of churches, for example at Polis-Chrysochou adn Ayia Paraskevi.
Pottery in the Byzantine Period
HC1994.3(17)
Plain pottery was commonly produced during this period for use and trade in particular. However, the pottery most typical of this period is the Sgraffiato ware of whcih the Bridges Collection has several examples. These dishes have incised decorations cratched through a lighter coloured slip, which was applied to the surface before the pots were fired. These lines of incision stand out in the darker colour of the underlying clay. Further decoration was provided by casual brush strokes of green and orange-brown pigment, using copper and iron oxide respectively.
Look carefully for the scars of the tripod. HC1994.3(13)
Cypriot potters used small clay tripods to separate the pots during firing, the scars of which can be seen on most of the pots in the form of three small spots lacking glaze. They were considered to have been made for domestic use, however many were also found in grave sites.
The main production centres for Sgraffiato ware in Cyprus were Paphos and Lapithos. Lapithos, located at the northern coast of the island, was producing superior quality glazed and decorated ceramics.
Click through the gallery to explore the artefacts!
HC1994.3(23) This high-side footed bowl has a very busy motif inside its face, most certainly including a figure of a purson amidst a full landscape.
Dimensions
bowl height 8 cm
bowl diameter 14 cm
bowl thickness 0.4 cm
HC1994.3(22) This bowl on a high foot, also known as a chalice, has a line and circle motif with a green and brown glazing.
bowl height 14.4 cm
bowl diameter 14 cm
bowl thickness 0.5 cm
HC1994.3(21) Largely unglazed on the outside, this bowl is beautifully coloured on its inner surface, rays protruding from waht could be a flower or a cross.
Dimensions
bowl height 8 cm
bowl diameter 15 cm
bowl thickness 0.6 cm
HC1994.3(20) See our 3D model here: http://bit.ly/2f2yvV0. This bowl fragment is of fine quality glaze and decoration, depicting a person with tunic and tights in the bowl with a textured rim. Dimensions
bowl height 9 cm
bowl thickness 0.5 cm
HC1994.3(18) This is a small and damaged bowl with a green glaze as its main decoration. The only etching is a fained impression of a person in the bowl in profile.
Dimensions
bowl height 5 cm
bowl diameter 13 cm
bowl thickness 0.5 cm
HC1994.3(17) THis dish is elevated on a glazed foot, with lovely decoration in its bowl There is a representaiton of a man wearing a tunic and tights, who is flanked by two birds, which may be collared doves.
Dimensions
bowl height 9.8 cm
bowl diameter 14.6 cm
bowl thickness 0.5 cm
HC1994.3(16) See our 3D model here: http://bit.ly/2xNIWnb. This is a shallow dish with a small base, and depicts a rather sorrowful looking bird, quite possibly a collared dove, its feathers forming the magority of the decoration.
Dimensions
bowl height 5.3 cm
bowl diameter 15 cm
bowl thickness 0.4 cm
HC1994.3(15) This bowl has typical glaze and techings around its rim, and a figure of a man in its inner bowl, dressed in a lined tunic, with two objects on either side, which may be representations of trees.
Dimensions
bowl height 8.7 cm
bowl diameter 14.9 cm
bowl thickness 0.5 cm
HC1994.3(14) This dish also has a shield with a cross in its centre, but without any further decoration. The outside rim takes on a more typical straffiato motif with parallel and criss-crossed etchings.
Dimensions
bowl height 8 cm
bowl diameter 13.4 cm
bowl thickness 0.5 cm
HCHC1994.3(13) This bowl is one of several in the collection which holds a shield motif in its inside decoration, encircled by triangle decoration. The bowl is fully glazed with a plain slip on the outside.
Dimensions
bowl height 8 cm
bowl diameter 16.6 cm
bowl thickness 0.5 cm
HC1994.3(12) The scars of the clay tripods which Cypriod potters used to seperate pots during firing can be seen here amidst the swirls and lines of the geometic decoration.
Dimensions
bowl height 8.8 cm
bowl diameter 15 cm
bowl thickness 0.5 cm
HC1994.3(11) This is a rather small cup which is elevated by a fully glazed foot and heavily decorated and textured rim. Inside the bowl there is a representation of a person with a striped tunic, the face and feet easy to sicern. There are two circular object located to the side of the figure.
Dimensions
bowl height 8.8 cm
bowl diameter 11.2 cm
bowl thickness 0.5 cm
HC1994.3(9) This dish rests on a small foot and is largely undecorated on the outside body, with a slight green glaze. The inside is decorated with parallel lines and several etched ovals within a square design. The tripod scars are easily discernable.
Dimensions
bowl height 6.7 cm
bowl diameter 14.5 cm
bowl thickness 0.4 cm
HC1994.3(8) This is a glazed bowl raised on a splayed ring, the foot unglazed. The well is decorated with sgraffito and an abstract design.
Dimensions
bowl height 12 cm
bowl diameter 13.4 cm
bowl thickness 0.5 cm
HC1994.3(104)
Dimensions
jug height 16 cm
jug diameter 9 cm
jug thickness 0.4 cm