North Cyprus Ceramics

North Cyprus Ceramics, usefull information of Northern Cyprus

What is striking about the pottery from these graveyards is its vigour and originality. Many of the pots with their interesting shapes are just in a plain red fabric but others are boldly patterned by groups of incisions often filled with a white paste to make the design stand out. The shapes include bowls, both shallow rounded, and deep, of which one charming varfety is described as 'tulip bowls'. There are flasks with long necks, very like the shape of local gourds which are still dried and ornamented to day. After many years of careful study, archaeologists have been able to identify the hand of, several different potters. Each potter had his, or it may be her, distinctive set of designs, many reminiscent of textiles and embroidery. When one can recognise a craftsman's individual style it becomes possible to measure, however approximately, his or her output. If, as it now seems, each person produced a great deal in their working life, then the whole craft may occupy a shorter time span than had been thought, and that again would show that they were supplying the needs of a large population. Two particular potters made a great number of what are termed 'cult' vessels, tall vases decorated with animal heads and so forth,.and also replicas of personal goods for burial with the dead. Such things as a pottery dagger and its sheath; or a handled comb, in shape rather like a small distemper brush; or a horn perhaps a musical instrument. Terracotta idols are mostly female; flat, plank-shaped with big heads, long skirts and small stick-arms drawn across their chests. They wear turbans or bands in their hair which is carefully dressed and falls down the back in zig-zag waves. Their gowns have broad bands of patterning and around their necks they have multiple necklaces. Idols which carry a cradled baby in their arms may represent the near-eastern Mother Goddess, while one example seems to represent a married couple in bed.

Model animals are sometimes free-standing. Others The Alluring Waters of the Mediterranean climb onto the rims of pots, and yet others are combined together into whole scenes, the most famous one, found at Vounos, is of worshipers and animals inside a circular enclosure, probably a sanctuary. There are men in bull masks and others holding snakes, while a peeping stranger climbs up the wall to look over the top, to see what is going on. Doves, the emblem of Aphrodite, and bulls often feature in the work of these potters.

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