Collections Online | British Museum

Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.

Black Slip I

Also known as: Black Slip I
Scope note: The most commonly used type classification for Black Slip Ware is that defined by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition (SCE), according to a combination of forms, surface finishes and decorative styles characteristic of a given period.* Black Slip I is a term which can be applied to both Bronze Age and Iron Age pottery, so should be used in conjunction with period/culture fields. Bronze Age Black Slip I was a rare type which appeared in Middle Cypriot I (c. 1950-1850 BC). It was hand-made in light brown clay with a thin lustrous brown or black slip. It was not usually decorated (Dikaios and Stewart 1962, 380). Iron Age Black Slip I was produced in the Cypro-Geometric I period (c. 1050–950 BC). It was made of buff or brown clay with a black, matt or occasionally slightly lustrous slip. Shapes were mainly hemispherical bowls, jugs and amphorae. Most were decorated with a ribbed surface imitating metal (Gjerstad 1948, 77–8, figs IX–X). * Although the numbering system implies chronological sequencing, there can be variability in fabric and styles amongst the Bronze Age ceramics, due in part to regional differences. Consequently, the SCE typology, though useful, does have problems which need to be recognised. Bibliography: Dikaios P. and Stewart J.R. 1962, ‘The Swedish Cyprus Expedition Vol. IV/IA. The Stone Age and the early Bronze Age in Cyprus’, Lund. Gjerstad E. 1948, ‘The Swedish Cyprus Expedition. Volume IV/2. The Cypro-Geometric, Cypro-Archaic and Cypro-Classical periods’, Stockholm.
Broader terms: x297920; Cypriot Ware Type

9 related objects

amphora

Museum number: 1982,0729.377 |
Cultures/periods: x107545 Cypro-Geometric |
Production date: 1050BC-900BC |
Production place: Made in:Cyprus |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Kourion

cup

Museum number: 1894,1101.548 |
Cultures/periods: x107545 Cypro-Geometric |
Production date: 1050 BC-900 BC |
Production place: Made in:Cyprus |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Amathus

jug

Museum number: 1982,0729.372 |
Cultures/periods: x107545 Cypro-Geometric |
Production date: 1050BC-900BC |
Production place: Made in:Cyprus |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Kourion

jug

Museum number: 1982,0729.373 |
Cultures/periods: x107545 Cypro-Geometric |
Production date: 1050BC-900BC |
Production place: Made in:Cyprus |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Kourion

jug

Museum number: 1982,0729.371 |
Cultures/periods: x107545 Cypro-Geometric |
Production date: 1050BC-900BC |
Production place: Made in:Cyprus |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Kourion

jug

Museum number: 1982,0729.370 |
Cultures/periods: x107545 Cypro-Geometric |
Production date: 1050BC-900BC |
Production place: Made in:Cyprus |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Kourion

jug

Museum number: 1982,0729.519 |
Cultures/periods: x107545 Cypro-Geometric |
Production date: 1050BC-900BC |
Production place: Made in:Cyprus |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Salamis (Cyprus)Excavated/Findspot:Gastria

juglet

Museum number: 1899,1229.24 |
Cultures/periods: x107545 Cypro-Geometric |
Production date: 1050 BC-900 BC |
Production place: Made in:Cyprus |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Kouklia

juglet

Museum number: 1899,1229.23 |
Cultures/periods: x107545 Cypro-Geometric |
Production date: 1050BC-900BC |
Production place: Made in:Cyprus |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Kouklia

Free entry

Opening hours