Iron Age, Cypriot pilgrim’s flask

ITEM: Pilgrim's Flask
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Iron Age, Cypriot
PERIOD: 1100 - 900 B.C
DIMENSIONS: 145 mm x 98 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, acquired before 1990s

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

The Iron Age Cypriot pilgrim flask is a distinctive ceramic vessel, typically characterized by a flattened, round body with a narrow neck and small handles. These flasks were commonly produced in Cyprus between the late Bronze Age and the Iron Age (circa 1200–500 BCE) and were used to store and transport liquids such as oil, perfume, or water. Their practical design made them ideal for carrying small amounts of precious substances, often by travelers or worshippers visiting sanctuaries—hence the name “pilgrim flask.” The decoration on these vessels varied, ranging from simple geometric patterns to intricate figurative scenes, often painted in black or red on a buff or light-colored background.

The cultural and religious significance of pilgrim flasks in Iron Age Cyprus is closely linked to the island’s vibrant trade networks and religious practices. Cyprus was a crucial hub for commerce in the eastern Mediterranean, and its ceramics, including pilgrim flasks, have been found in sites as far as the Levant, Egypt, and Greece. Many flasks were associated with ritual contexts, possibly used by pilgrims to carry sacred oils or water from religious sites. Some examples feature iconography linked to fertility, protection, and deities such as Astarte or Apollo, reflecting the island’s syncretic religious influences from both Near Eastern and Greek traditions.

Archaeological discoveries of Iron Age Cypriot pilgrim flasks provide valuable insights into daily life, trade, and religious devotion in ancient Cyprus. The presence of these vessels in tombs suggests that they held significance beyond their practical use, possibly serving as offerings for the deceased or symbols of purification.