Early Bronze Age II
Double-Headed Red Polished Figurine
Red Polished Ware bottle with incised decoration, typical of the Early Bronze Age in Cyprus.
Date
2300 - 1900 BC
Collection
Alexis Drakopoulos
Provenance
- Goodman Collection, 1960s - 2025
- 2025 - Present, Alexis Drakopoulos, London, UK
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The figurine is a quintessential example of the Red Polished Ware style, characterized by its lustrous, hand-burnished surface and intricate incised decorations. These patterns, often filled with a white lime paste for contrast, were not merely ornamental but likely held symbolic significance related to fertility, social status, or religious beliefs.
Cultural Significance
The dual-headed nature of the figurine is a subject of ongoing scholarly discussion. Some theories propose it represents a divine couple, mythical twins, or a powerful being capable of seeing into two worlds—the living and the dead. This ambiguity makes the object a compelling piece for understanding the abstract cosmology of Early Bronze Age Cypriots.
- Material: Terracotta, red slip
- Technique: Hand-modelled, incised, burnished
- Dimensions: 15.2 cm height
This piece would have been a high-status object, likely deposited in a tomb as a grave good to accompany the deceased into the afterlife.