Museum
Cyprus Museum
Nicosia, Cyprus · founded 15 June 1882
Museum in Nicosia, founded 15 June 1882; part of Department of Antiquities of Cyprus. 136 people in the register connected with it.
History
- October 1878Alessandro Palma di Cesnola was arrested and tried at Larnaca under the Ottoman law of 1874 for digging; his antiquities (pottery, glass, over 1,500 items from his Ormidia house plus Enkomi finds) were seized. The Museum's founding document later named the confiscated 'Cesnola' antiquities as the nucleus for the future collection.
LarnacaAlessandro (Alexander) Palma di CesnolaTatton-Brown 2001Stanley-Price 2018
- 10 May 1882Letter signed 'An Archaeologist' in the Cyprus Herald proposed a Museum of Ancient and Modern Arts and Industries in Nicosia; Stanley-Price judges Kitchener its probable author. A follow-up of 24 May set out proposals the founding document echoes.
Herbert KitchenerTatton-Brown 2001Stylianou-Lambert & Bounia 2016, p. 81
- 15 June 1882Museum formally established: a deputation presented High Commissioner Sir Robert Biddulph with a petition signed by the Cadi, the Archbishop and the Mufti; Biddulph approved on condition of least possible Government expense (subscriptions and donations only), a Council was named and Kitchener appointed Curator and Honorary Secretary. First Committee members listed in Life and Deeds: Biddulph (chair), Archbishop, Cadi, Mufti, E. Bouvill, C. D. Cobham, S. Brown, W. Corby, Demetrios Pierides, Theodore Peristianis, Eustathios Constantinides, Hakki Efendi.
NicosiaRobert BiddulphHerbert KitchenerClaude Delaval CobhamSamuel BrownW. CorbyDemetrios PieridesTheodore PeristianisEustathios ConstantinidesHakki EfendiSir Elliott BovillTatton-Brown 2001Stylianou-Lambert & Bounia 2016, p. 224 n. 16Marangou 2000, p. 353
- 1883Two rooms of the new Government Offices (the Secretariat) are confirmed as in use for objects assigned to the Museum; the collection was not organised and not open to the public. Kitchener left Cyprus in March 1883 and was thanked by both communities for founding the Museum; Hugh Sinclair succeeded him as Curator.
NicosiaHerbert KitchenerHugh SinclairTatton-Brown 2001Kiely & Fourrier 2012
- 1883–1885Max Ohnefalsch-Richter dug for the Museum (Soloi valley 1883; eleven tombs at Nicosia Ayia Paraskevi 1884-5, among other sites); first named as an honorary member in December 1883. His own 1893 claim to have formed the Committee via Gladstone is judged improbable by Stanley-Price and not supported by contemporary documents.
Max Ohnefalsch-RichterKiely & Merrillees 2012Tatton-Brown 2001
- 1885Ferdinand Dümmler presented 1885 tomb groups (Agia Paraskevi, Alambra, Idalion, Laksha, Psemmatismeno) to the Museum.
- June 1887Biddulph's successor as President, High Commissioner Sir Henry Bulwer, reminded the Committee in June 1887 of the Museum's founding aims and demanded improvement, and in the same Minute restricted excavation permits to foreign museums and recognised antiquarian institutions; Cambridge visitor F. H. H. Guillemard wrote on 22 June 1887 'A very poor place, nothing in it' after buying four glass objects at the Museum.
NicosiaHenry Ernest Gascoyne BulwerFrancis Henry Hill GuillemardTatton-Brown 2001Stylianou-Lambert & Bounia 2016, p. 81 -p. 82
- October 1888H. C. Nicolle (then Auditor-General) was put in charge of running the Museum by Bulwer, replacing the resigned Council.
H. C. NicolleHenry Ernest Gascoyne BulwerKiely & Merrillees 2012
- June 1889The Committee leased a house at 7 Victoria Road (Victoria Street), inside the walled town in what was then an Armenian quarter, for one year at 21 pounds with a caretaker and wife at 12 pounds a year; the collections were installed over two floors.
NicosiaTatton-Brown 2001
- c. 1890E. T. C. Joly, for a time Secretary, wrote the manuscript catalogue of the c. 1890 rearrangement.
Ernest Thomas Charles JolyMyres & Ohnefalsch-Richter 1899, p. vi
- 16 May 1891First opening to the public, on the first Saturday of each month and certain public holidays.
- 1894John Linton Myres, invited by the Government, cleaned and catalogued the collection in summer 1894; a proposal at the Committee meeting of 24 March 1894 (apparently by Eustathios Constantinides) to invite Christos Tsountas of Athens to catalogue it was never decided, and Ohnefalsch-Richter protested on 17 May 1894. Myres's preface criticised the Government for failing to store and maintain the collection; items lent to the 1887 Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London went missing.
John Linton MyresChristos TsountasEustathios ConstantinidesMax Ohnefalsch-RichterMerrillees 2005, pp. 204-205Tatton-Brown 2001Myres & Ohnefalsch-Richter 1899
- 1899A Catalogue of the Cyprus Museum by J. L. Myres and M. Ohnefalsch-Richter (Oxford), the first catalogue of the collection, reflecting work of c. 1894. Merrillees notes no handbook appeared between 1899 and Dikaios's Guide of 1947.
John Linton MyresMax Ohnefalsch-RichterMagda H. Ohnefalsch-RichterMyres & Ohnefalsch-Richter 1899Merrillees 2005, p. 19
- 1902Part of the second Lambousa silver treasure was seized by the police after a search by Ernest McDonald; Dalton wrote that the seized part 'will no doubt find a home in the Nicosia Museum' and Dikaios's guide records it as now in the Museum. The rest was exported and is not in Nicosia.
LambousaErnest McDonaldOrmonde Maddock DaltonDalton 1906, pp. 1-2Dikaios 1947, p. 164
- 1906Building design competition for the permanent Museum: submissions by Edgar Feneck (PWD), Theodore N. Fotiadis and Nikolaos Balanos; Balanos's plan was chosen, with a facade modelled on the Temple of Athena Nike. Decision to build as a Queen Victoria memorial dates from a public meeting of 10 April 1901 (Stylianou-Lambert and Bounia).
NicosiaNikolaos BalanosEdgar FeneckTheodore N. FotiadisPaschalis ConstantinidesIoannis EconomidesStylianou-Lambert & Bounia 2016, p. 84 -p. 85Zeman-Wisniewska
- 1909Wilfrid Jerome Farrell, a British School at Athens student, wrote a confidential report on the Museum after a visit. He reported that the elected Committee members' interest in archaeology was 'of a commercial rather than a scientific character' and 'it is suspected, though not on certain evidence' that they used their position for pecuniary advantage by exporting antiquities or selling them to the Museum at exaggerated prices; that the Curator of Antiquities, Eustathios Constantinides, kept no accession book and was 'usually incapacitated by drunkenness' (Farrell's words, with the caveat that he saw no evidence of Constantinides selling Museum objects); and that Baron von Lichtenberg had been invited to write two new catalogues (never produced). Report and its reception published by Merrillees.
Wilfrid Jerome FarrellEustathios ConstantinidesReinhold von LichtenbergSimos MenardosMerrillees 2005, p. 7-9
- 1912Menelaos Markides, an Oxford graduate, took over as Curator of Antiquities (first Cypriot to hold the post and to be Curator of the Museum).
- 1919E. M. Jelajian negotiated the export of part of his collection on retirement.
- 1924–1927Menelaos Markides removed objects from George Basil Palma's collection; Palma later gave them without payment (Stanley-Price 2025, App. 1 section 7).
- 23 December 1926Rupert Gunnis, private secretary to Governor Ronald Storrs, was elected to the Museum Committee; at the same meeting the Committee asked Markides to list 'duplicates' for sale to museums or tourists. Museum sales income rose from 0.3 pounds in 1924 to 200 pounds in 1926 and 359 pounds in 1928 (Stanley-Price's Table 1). Stanley-Price states that the stock of 'duplicates' on sale grew to c. 2,000 pieces and that Gunnis 'manipulated' the system for his own benefit; Hilton's 1936 confidential report alleged that Gunnis signed export permits for his own collection.
NicosiaRupert Forbes GunnisRonald StorrsMenelaos MarkidesJoan du Plat TaylorStanley-Price 2025Stanley-Price 2025
- 1927–1931Swedish Cyprus Expedition finds divided: the law was amended in 1927 so the Expedition could take a share. A 1930 'lower court' (Markides, Gunnis, Gjerstad) drafted the division; find-units were not split, and Sweden received about two-thirds of nearly 18,000 finds (including all scientifically useful sherd material), with 'unique' objects staying in Cyprus. The Ayia Irini terracotta figures (c. 2,000) were divided between the two countries; most gold stayed in Cyprus. Finds left Famagusta in March 1931.
Einar Nilson GjerstadMenelaos MarkidesRupert Forbes GunnisAlfred WestholmRecke 2012Pilides & Papadimitriou 2012, p. 23Gjerstad 1980
- November 1929Papa Prokopios gave the Museum a terracotta statue (head and torso) found on his farm at Ayia Irini, shortly after the Swedish dig there.
- 1929–1960Porphyrios Dikaios, Assistant Curator 1929-31 and Curator 1931-60; he wrote the Guide to the Cyprus Museum (1947, revised 1953 and 1961).
- c. 1930–1939Joan du Plat Taylor worked as a volunteer in the Museum saleroom (c. 1930) and was Honorary Assistant Curator from 1932 to 1939; Olga Tufnell was a volunteer sales assistant in 1930.
Joan du Plat TaylorOlga TufnellStanley-Price 2025, n. 75Obituary: Joan du Plat… 1983, p. 1
- 1 January 1935The new Antiquities Law created the Department of Antiquities on 1 January 1935, which took over the Museum and the Committee's powers; the Museum became a State-financed part of the administration. John R. Hilton was first Director (to April 1936), succeeded by A. H. S. Megaw (to 1960). The Department also took over the Curator of Ancient Monuments.
John HiltonArthur Hubert Stanley MegawGeorge AnastasiouLoizos VasiloiMelis GeorghiouChrysostomos ParaskevaZeman-WisniewskaBounia & Stylianou-Lambert 2011Stanley-Price 2025, p. 116
- 1935Kyriakos Andronikos sold a bronze sceptre (CM 1935/V-22/3) to the Museum; Panayiotis Rostas sold another (CM 1935/III-7/1). Over 1935-54 the Museum also bought and received objects from George Basil Palma and Kinga Palma.
Kyriakos AndronikosPanayiotis RostasGeorge Basil PalmaKatherine (Kinga) PalmaMerrillees 2014, p. 417
- April 1936John Hilton, first Director of Antiquities, was dismissed; Stanley-Price argues Gunnis's opinions helped bring this about. In February 1936 the post of Inspector of Antiquities was abolished and Gunnis was made Travelling Member of the new Antiquities Advisory Board.
John HiltonRupert Forbes GunnisRichmond PalmerStanley-Price 2025
- 1940Ioannis Aristedou sold the Museum a gold solidus of Michael III from Vasilia (CM 1940-IV-25); the Kharkia hoard of solidi of Constans II is CM 1944/X-13/1.
- 1944Pavlos Georghiou sold a Chian chalice with seated sphinx (CM 1944/1-28/2) to the Museum (City of Gold cat. 32).
- 1950Megaw records Gunther coins given to the Cyprus Museum by the American Numismatic Society and Anne Wilson's catalogue of the Ptolemaic coin series (1949-50).
- 1952Capt. C. S. Timins bequeathed Coptic textiles and oriental rugs; a black-figure skyphos came from his estate (seller not named).
- 1956K. Kirlappos sold 34 Byzantine gold coins (Tremetousia hoard).
- 1960Gold jewellery from the Karemphylakis collection (Larnaca) and the gold hair-rings and ring given by Katsigarakis reached the Museum; Paul Astrom gave a Hellenistic amphora.
KaremphylakisMr KatsigarakisPaul ÅströmKarageorghis 1961Dikaios 1962
- 1962–1963The Hubbard collection came to the Museum: the Mycenaean octopus krater and a Bichrome IV tripod jar bequeathed in 1962, then the main collection (prehistoric pottery, Iron Age vases, a limestone head 1963/IV-20/93, Red Polished plank idol 1963/IV-20/12 and 706 coins) given by his heirs in 1963; the 'Hubbard amphora' (1938/XI-2/3) had been given in 1936-38.
Toby O'Brien HubbardKarageorghis 1963, p. 6-7Karageorghis 1964Nicolaou 1966Dikaios 1937
- 19641964 amendment of the Antiquities Law ended the division of finds: antiquities discovered by licensed excavators vest in the Cyprus Museum without payment; the Council of Ministers could also create new museums (secondary sources, text of the law not read).
The Discovery of Ancient…, p. 13Bounia & Stylianou-Lambert 2011
- 1964–1978Kyriakos Nicolaou was Assistant Curator 1961-64 and Curator 1964-78 (retired 1 November 1978); Angeliki Pieridou served 1948-73; Ino Nicolaou was epigraphist from 1963.
Kyriakos NicolaouAngeliki PieridouIno (Ioanna) NicolaouNicolaou 1981Nicolaou 1976, p. 3
- 1968The Museum bought the c. 800-object George M. Michaelides collection with a Government grant (inv. 1968/V-30/...), including an Attic black-figure amphora attributed by Bothmer to the Red-line Painter.
George M. MichaelidesDietrich von BothmerKarageorghis 1969Nicolaou 1970
- 1968G. Ficardos sold a pedestalled Geometric krater (CM 1968/IX-16/1); in 1965 G. Tomarides sold spiral earrings (CM 1965/II-2/9).
- 1969Items from the J. S. Last collection entered the Museum (inv. 1969/V-16); the report does not state how.
- 1973Anastasios G. Leventis gave funds for the Museum to buy antiquities from the market; in 1978 he and the Government jointly paid for the Late Bronze Age four-sided wheeled bronze stand (1978/XI-21/1), bought back from a dealer at Drei Eichen near Frankfurt.
Anastasios G. LeventisVassos KarageorghisKarageorghis 1974Karageorghis 1990, p. 10
- 1974–1976The Museum was closed in 1974 after the Turkish invasion and reopened to the public in 1976. A group of antiquities was evacuated for safety; an exhibition of them was held at the National Museum in Athens until 1979, then at the British Museum (1979) and Birmingham (1980); by 1981 all had returned to Cyprus. A travelling exhibition to the USA and Canada also returned.
- 1976–1981Gifts in these years include T. Phylaktou's bronze helmet (1976), Christakis Hadjiprodromou objects (1977, 1981; the 1981 pieces include a Souskiou picrolite cruciform), and the Maria Gaffiero bequest of nearly 650 objects (1980).
T. PhylaktouChristakis HadjiprodromouMaria GaffieroKarageorghis 1977Karageorghis 1978Karageorghis 1981Winkelmann 2020
- 1981Reorganisation approved to take effect in 1981: the two Assistant Curator posts abolished and replaced by Archaeological Officers, and the Museums Branch amalgamated with the Archaeological Survey Branch under the Curator.
- 1984Vassos and Barbara Lyssarides gave a large part of their registered collection (Red Polished bowl with animal protomes 1984/XI-28/3, horse-and-rider figurine 1984/XII-21/51, limestone heads and others).
Vassos LyssaridesBarbara Cornwall LyssaridesKarageorghis 1985
- 1986Maria Kalodiki-Karamanoli gave the ex-Kalodikis collection (including Proto-White Slip and White Slip II pieces, 1986/II-25/...).
- 1996–200175 decorated vessels in the Museum's pottery collection were analysed in situ (non-destructive analysis and visual recording survey).
- 2007–2008D. M. Metcalf searched the Museum strong-room for the Lambousa gold-coin hoard of 1906 with study facilities granted by the Director of Antiquities.
People
136 peopleStaff and members · 65
- Claude Delaval Cobhammember (1882–1905) · elected member of the first Museum Committee (1882); 1905 Committee agent for Larnaca district · acted for it · gave objects · worked withStylianou-Lambert & Bounia 2016, pp. 224-225 nn. 161882–1905
- Hakki Efendielected member of the first Museum Committee, representing the Muslim community1882
- Herbert Kitchenercurator (June 1882 – March 1883) · first Curator and Honorary Secretary · worked for itTatton-Brown 20011882–1883
- Robert Biddulphpresident (15 June 1882 – 1886) · ex officio President of the Museum Committee/CouncilTatton-Brown 2001Kiely & Merrillees 20121882–1886
- Samuel Brownkeeper (c. 1886–1888) · Council member from the first meeting (15 June 1882); Keeper possibly from early 1886Kiely & Merrillees 20121882–1888
- Sir Elliott Bovillgovernment member of the first committee, 18821882
- Theodore Peristianiselected member (first committee)1882
- W. Corbymember1882
- Hugh Sinclaircurator (1883–1886) · Curator and honorary secretary (called Keeper by Kiely and Merrillees)Kiely & Fourrier 2012Kiely & Merrillees 20121883
- W. H. Bennettsecretary (1885–1886) · Honorary SecretaryGiven 2001, p. 2551885
- H. C. Nicolleofficial (from October 1888) · put in charge of running the Museum by Bulwer, replacing the resigned Council (Auditor-General at the time)Kiely & Merrillees 20121888
- Ernest Thomas Charles Jolysecretary (from c. 1890) · for a while Secretary; wrote the MS catalogue of the c. 1890 rearrangementMyres & Ohnefalsch-Richter 1899, p. vi1890
- Christos Tsountasproposed (never decided) invitee to catalogue the collection1894
- John Linton Myresother (1894–1899) · catalogued its collectionMyres & Ohnefalsch-Richter 1899Tatton-Brown 20011894–1899
- Magda H. Ohnefalsch-Richterco-photographer of the collection (with Max)1895
- Ioannis Economidesmember of the 1901 sub-committee for the museum building fund1901
- Paschalis Constantinidesmember (from 1901)Merrillees 2005, p. 16Stylianou-Lambert & Bounia 2016, p. 225 n. 181901
- Charles Anthony King-Harmanpresident (1904–1911) · High Commissioner of Cyprus, under whom the Museum Committee operated and the collection moved to the new buildingMerrillees 2005, p. 111904
- Wilfred Colletmember of the interim committee appointed July 19041904
- Simos Menardosmember · member of the Committee; agent monitoring the Limassol area · acted for itMerrillees 2005, p. 121905
- Tankerville James Chamberlaynedistrict agent for Kyrenia against illicit export under the 1905 Law · acted for it1905–1906
- George Jefferyofficial (1903–1935)Merrillees 2005, p. 19Zeman-Wisniewska1906–1909
- Theodore N. Fotiadiscompetitor (unsuccessful design for the museum building)1906
- Panagiotis Kavvadiasinvited adviser on arranging the new museum building · worked with1909
41 more
- Hamilton Goold-Adamspresident (1911–1914) · President of the Museum Committee (as High Commissioner)Merrillees 2005, p. 211911
- Menelaos Markidescurator (1912–1931) · Keeper and Secretary / Curator of Antiquities, ex officio member of the Museum Committee · worked for itMerrillees 2005, p. 20Stanley-Price 20251912–1931
- Ieronymos K. Peristianiscorrespondent1917
- Ronald Storrspresident (1926–1932) · President ex officio (as Governor)Stanley-Price 20251926
- George Anastasioustaff (from 1 January 1935) · attendant; museum assistant from 1 January 1935; Senior Museum Assistant; 'Chief Attendant' in Gunnis-era complaintStanley-Price 20251927
- Lazaros Nikolaouattendant1927
- Porphyrios Dikaioscurator (1929–1960) · Assistant Curator · worked for itNicolaou 19661929–1963
- Joan du Plat Taylorassistant (1932–1939) · volunteer saleroom assistant 1930~; Honorary Assistant Curator from 1932 · worked for itStanley-Price 20251930–1939
- Olga Tufnellvolunteer sales assistant1930
- Chrysostomos Paraskevastaff (1935–1976) · one of five museum assistants appointed by Hilton; later member of the Cyprus Museum LaboratoryStanley-Price 2025Karageorghis 19761935
- John Hiltondirector (1 January 1935 – April 1936) · Director (the Department took over the Museum and the Curator of Ancient Monuments)Stanley-Price 2025, p. 1161935
- Loizos Vasiloimuseum assistant1935
- Melis Georghioumuseum assistant1935
- Noel Wheelerdigging for the Cyprus Museum1935
- Panayiotis Rostasvendor1935
- Stanley Cassonacted for it1935
- Judith DobellEnglish volunteer (rescue digs, cataloguing)1936
- Dorothy Evelyn Stewart (née Dray)volunteer (with Joan du Plat Taylor, Judith Dobell, Rowena de Marchemund)1937
- Rowena de MarchemundEnglish volunteer1937
- Kakoulis Georghioustaff (1946–1961) · Senior Museum AssistantDikaios 19611946
- Angeliki Pieridouassistant (1948–1973) · Assistant Record Keeper; from 1958 Assistant Curator of Records; from 1964 Assistant Curator (until her death) · worked for itNicolaou 1976, p. 31948–1973
- Karemphylakisrecipient of gold jewellery ex Karemphylakis collection1960
- Kyriakos Nicolaoucurator (1961 – 1 November 1978) · Assistant Curator · worked for itNicolaou 19811961–1980
- Ino (Ioanna) Nicolaouspecialist (1963–1989) · Assistant Curator (1989 acknowledgment); epigraphist of the MuseumStager & Walker 1989, p. xix1963
- Elias Markoudraughtsman, named among the Cyprus Museum draughtsmen1975
- Michael Loulloupiscurator (1982–1989) · Curator ('the present Curator' in the Idalion volume of 1989)Stager & Walker 19891982
- A. Georghiadestechnician in the Museum Laboratory · worked for it1983
- Mary Hadjisavvaphotographic section or draughtsman (the preface lists both groups together)1983
- Xenophon Michaelmember of the Photographic section · worked for it1983
- N. Kontosphotographer of the objects in the 1989 guide (credit only)1989
- Yiannis Hadjisavvasin charge of the photographic archive (1997 acknowledgement)1997
- Grigoris Christoustaff member, thanked in 2001 as 'G. Christou of the Cyprus Museum'2001
- Chrysanthos Chrysanthoustaff member2012
- George Masourasstaff member2012
- Maria Hadjinikolaoustaff (thanked)2012
- Andreas Georgiadesconservation staff
- Andreas Papadopoulosmember of the Laboratory
- Arthur Hubert Stanley Megawdirector (1936–1960)Zeman-WisniewskaBounia & Stylianou-Lambert 2011
- Despina Pilidescurator · Curator of the Cyprus Museums (Kiely 2017); discovered Jeffery's diaries in its archiveKiely 2017
- Falkland Warrenmember (1882–1890)Recke 2018Given 2001, p. 255
- Michalis Nikolaouattendant
Fieldwork · 1
- Max Ohnefalsch-Richterother (1883–1887) · excavator; Government Inspector; self-styled Consulting Archaeologist and Superintendent of Excavations; honorary Museumsberater · dug for it · gave objectsBuchholz 1989Myres & Ohnefalsch-Richter 18991879–1894
Donors and lenders · 35
- Demetrios Pieridesmember (1882–1895) · elected committee member, founder and benefactor · gave objectsMarangou 2000, p. 353Karageorghis et al. 1985, p. 201882–1895
- Eustathios Constantinidescurator (1889–1912) · Council member from 1882 (Coudounaris, via Merrillees); Curator of Antiquities 1889-1912 (Coudounaris) or from 28 Nov 1905 (Political Museum) · gave objects · worked for itMerrillees 2005, p. 13Stylianou-Lambert & Bounia 2016, p. 851882–1905
- Ferdinand Dümmlergave objects1885
- H. L. Thompsongave objects1885–1899
- Marius Tanogave objects1885
- Henry Ernest Gascoyne Bulwerpresident (March 1886 – April 1892) · ex officio President of the Museum Committee/Council · gave objectsTatton-Brown 20011886–1892
- Henry Rider Haggardgave objects1887
- Mr. Tompsongave objects1893
- George Basil Palmagave objects · sold objects1924–1954
- Luke Zenon Pieridesmember (c. 1925–1933) · member of the Museum Committee · gave objectsMerrillees 2005, p. 13Stanley-Price 20251925–1927
- Eliza Mozerasgave objects1927
- Papa Prokopiosgave objects1929
- Epaminondas Skeparnidesgave objects1934
- Kontoyannis (of Anoyira)gave objects1934
- Toby O'Brien Hubbardbequeathed objects · gave objects1936–1963
- C. S. Timinsbequeathed objects · sold objects1952
- Vassos Karageorghiscurator (1952–1963) · Assistant Curator (1952), Curator (1960) · gave objects · worked for itCatling 2009Nicolaou 19661952–1974
- Katherine (Kinga) Palmagave objects · sold objects1953–1954
- Kyriakos Stylianougave objects1958
- Mr Katsigarakisgave objects1960
- Paul Åströmgave objects1960
- Archbishop Makarios IIIgave objects1961
- R. Baudouygave objects1961
- Chr. Loizides of Morphougave objects1963
11 more
- George Petrakideslent objects1966
- J. S. Lastbequeathed objects1969
- Mrs Theodora Z. Pieridesgave objects1969
- Anastasios G. Leventisfunded it1973–1978
- T. Phylaktougave objects1976
- Constantine Leventisfunded it1980
- Maria Gaffierolegatee of c. 650 objects · bequeathed objects1980
- Barbara Cornwall Lyssaridesdonor · gave objects1984
- Vassos Lyssaridesdonor · gave objects1984
- Maria Kalodiki-Karamanoligave objects1986
- Leonidas Michailgave objects
Sellers and consignors · 10
- Kyriakos Andronikossold objects1935
- Ioannis Aristedousold objects1940
- Pavlos Georghiousold objects1944
- Toska von Bissingsold objects1952
- Petros Kolokasidessold objects1953–1961
- Mr K. Kirlappos of Kouteasold objects1956
- Michael Symeonvendor of a coin to the museum · sold objects1963
- G. Tomaridessold objects1965
- G. Ficardosseller to the museum · sold objects1968
- George M. Michaelidessold objects1968
Buyers · 4
- Francis Henry Hill Guillemardbought here1887–1888
- Rupert Forbes Gunnismember (23 December 1926 – 1935) · member (elected 23 December 1926); Travelling Member (Symons) · bought hereStanley-Price 20251926–1932
- Anna (Annie) Brassey, Baroness Brassey (née Allnutt)bought here
- Paschalis Kitromilidesbought here
Others connected · 21
- Alessandro (Alexander) Palma di Cesnola1878–1882
- Ernest McDonald1902
- Ormonde Maddock Daltonpublished material of1905–1906
- Edgar Feneck1906
- George Athanasios Mozeras1906–1911
- Nikolaos Balanos1906–1909
- Georgios Soteriadisworked with1909
- Ioannis Chaldoupis1909
- Reinhold von Lichtenberg1909
- E. M. Jelajian1919
- Alfred Westholmworked with1930–1931
- Michael H. Kattis1939
- Anne Wilsoncatalogued its collection1949–1950
- Charles Godfrey Gunther1950
- P. Maclean1956
- Stig Host1958
- Christakis Hadjiprodromou1977–1981
- Suzanne Spain Alexanderpublished material of1977
- E. Aloupipublished material of1996–2001
- D. M. Metcalf2007–2008
- Mortimer Wheeler
Objects
Hubbard amphora, White Painted ware, figured frieze (woman drinking through a straw)
1938/XI-2/3via Toby O'Brien Hubbard1936–1938Dikaios 1937Karageorghis 1989, p. 77
Mycenaean amphoroid krater with octopus decoration
1962/V-31/1via Toby O'Brien Hubbard1962Karageorghis 1963, p. 6
Red Polished plank-shaped idol (Hubbard collection)
1963/IV-20/12via Toby O'Brien Hubbard1963Nicolaou 1966
Limestone head of a youth with a wreath
1963/IV-20/93via Toby O'Brien Hubbard1963Karageorghis 1964, p. 16
Bronze sceptre, 13.0 cm high
CM 1935/V-22/3via Kyriakos Andronikos1935Merrillees 2014, p. 417
Bronze sceptre, 11.0 cm high
CM 1935/III-7/1via Panayiotis Rostas1935Merrillees 2014, p. 17
Miniature copper ox-hide ingot with two Cypro-Minoan signs
CM 1936/VI-19/1via George Basil Palma1936Merrillees 2014, p. 417
Gold granulated pomegranate pendant, Late Bronze Age, 4.9 cm
CM 1954/III-24/1from Enkomivia George Basil Palma1954Merrillees 2014, pp. 421-422Megaw 1954
Gold solidus of Michael III (842-67) from Vasilia
CM 1940-IV-25from Vasiliavia Ioannis Aristedou1940Metcalf 2009
Chian chalice with seated sphinx, c. 580 BCE, h. 13.3 cm
CM 1944/1-28/2via Pavlos Georghiou1944Childs et al. 2012, cat. 32
Pedestalled krater with Geometric decoration, 7th c. BCE, h. 59.5 cm
CM 1968/IX-16/1via G. Ficardos1968Childs et al. 2012, cat. 20
Bichrome amphora with wading birds (now on loan to the Metropolitan Museum, per the City of Gold entry 'MMA 73')
CM 1961/XII-15/2via Petros Kolokasides1961Childs et al. 2012, cat. 19
Silver cup fragment with 17 syllabic signs
1961/IV-24/1via R. Baudouy1961Karageorghis 1962
Attic black-figure amphora attributed to the Red-line Painter by Bothmer, c. 500 BC (Michaelides collection)
1968/V-30/348via George M. Michaelides1968Nicolaou 1970
Red Polished jug with relief decoration, EBA (Michaelides collection)
1968/V-30/1via George M. Michaelides1968Nicolaou 1970
Bichrome IV 'free-field' jug with large bird (Hadjiprodromou collection)
1977/VIII-23/10via Christakis Hadjiprodromou1977Karageorghis 1978
Late Bronze Age four-sided wheeled bronze stand, bought back from a dealer near Frankfurt
1978/XI-21/1via Anastasios G. Leventis1978Karageorghis 1990, p. 67
Large Red Polished jug, 60 cm, ex 'Fondation Crawford', Washington
1983/X-11/1via William Rex Crawford Jr.1983Karageorghis 1984
Red Polished bowl with two horned animal protomes (Lyssarides gift)
1984/XI-28/3via Vassos Lyssarides1984Karageorghis 1985
Terracotta statue (head and upper part), early 6th c. BC, Ayia Irini
(not given)from Ayia Irinivia Papa ProkopiosNovember 1929Gjerstad 1980
Cloisonne-enamel gold sceptre with two birds on a sphere (McFadden no. 38), from Kourion Kaloriziki; part of the Museum's Kourion material
(not given)from Kourion-Kalorizikivia Socrates StylianouMcFadden & Sjöqvist 1954, pp. 131-132
Part of the second Lambousa silver treasure seized by the police in 1902
(not given)from Lambousavia Ernest McDonald1902Dalton 1906, pp. 1-2
Five Late Bronze Age cylinder seals from Eustathios Constantinides's collection
CM 4503-4506, 4508via Eustathios Constantinides1882Myres & Ohnefalsch-Richter 1899Merrillees 2005, pp. 13
Marble block with Phoenician dedication of Baalmilk II to Anat, Idalion
(not given)from Idalionvia Henry Ernest Gascoyne BulwerKiely & Merrillees 2012
Marble fountain figure of Eros asleep over a wine skin, Nea Paphos
(not given)from Nea Paphosvia Mr. Tompson1893Ohnefalsch-Richter 1893, p. 477
On Ancient Cyprus
94 pages- A Goat and a Composite Figure: Reading a Cypriot Free-Field JugArticle
- A Short History of Cypriot ArcheologyArticle
- Ancient Cypriot Pottery: A Course from the First Pots to the Classical KingdomsArticle
- Anthropomorphic Hydria: Artifact AnalysisArticle
- Antiquities in an Estate: A Practical Guide for ExecutorsArticle
- Brought Back from Cyprus: A Guide to Family AntiquitiesArticle
- Cypriot Free-Field Art: One Bird on an Empty JugArticle
- Cypriot Pottery Replicas and Fakes: Is My Piece Real?Article
- Cyprus Export Licences, Lead Seals and Labels: Reading the MarksArticle
- Enkomi Tomb 66: The Tomb with Lamps on Its WallsArticle
- Excavating an Old Excavation: Thomas Kiely and the British Museum's CyprusArticle
- From Colonial Bargains to Contested Heritage: Tracing the Price and Provenance of Cypriot Antiquities (1883-Present)Article
- How to Sell Antiquities Legally: Laws, Provenance and StepsArticle
- I Inherited Antiquities: What to Do First, Step by StepArticle
- Inherited Cypriot Antiquities? What You Have and Your OptionsArticle
- Licence No. 7070: How Cypriot Antiquities Left the Island LegallyArticle
- Max Ohnefalsch-Richter: The Excavator Who Recorded Cyprus and Scattered ItArticle
- Returning or Donating Cypriot Antiquities: How It WorksArticle
- Selling Cypriot Antiquities Legally: A Step-by-Step GuideArticle
- Selling Cypriot Antiquities in the UK: Law, Auctions and ExportArticle
- Selling Cypriot Antiquities in the US: What the Law AllowsArticle
- Smoking Strictly Prohibited: How the Cyprus Museum Sold Antiquities Across a CounterArticle
- Stolen Cypriot Artifact Repatriated After Nearly 50 YearsArticle
- The Evolution of Cypriot burials over timeArticle
- The Island's Antiquities Broker: Petros KolokasidesArticle
- The Judge, the Escape, and a Chocolate Box of Six-Thousand-Year-Old SherdsArticle
- The Savant of LarnacaArticle
- Two Birds, Two Necks: A Vounous Jug, Its Louvre Cousin, and a Lost One from Tomb 46AArticle
- Vassos Karageorghis (1929–2021): The Maker of Modern Cypriot ArchaeologyArticle
- Vounous: the Bronze Age society we know only from its deadArticle
- AchnaSite
- Bellapais VounousSite
- KyreniaSite
- SotiraSite
- AmphoraCompendium
- Arms and Armour of Iron Age CyprusCompendium
- Arrows and Chevron Arrows on Cypriot Iron Age PotteryCompendium
- Baskets and Basket-Handled VesselsCompendium
- Birds in Ancient CyprusCompendium
- BowlsCompendium
- Chalcolithic CyprusCompendium
- Climate and Landscape in Ancient CyprusCompendium
- Clothing and Dress in Ancient CyprusCompendium
- Collecting Cypriot Antiquities Today: Law, Provenance and Due DiligenceCompendium
- Combed WareCompendium
- Complex VesselsCompendium
- Copper Metallurgy in Ancient CyprusCompendium
- Cyprus Before Humans: Dwarf Hippos, Dwarf Elephants and the First VisitorsCompendium
- Earthquakes in Ancient CyprusCompendium
- Food Storage in Ancient Cyprus: Pits, Pithoi and StoreroomsCompendium
- Free-Field Style: Birds, Bulls and Lotus on Cypro-Archaic JugsCompendium
- Furniture in Ancient CyprusCompendium
- How Cypriot Figurines Are ClassifiedCompendium
- Looting in Occupied Northern Cyprus after 1974Compendium
- Lotus Flowers and Lotus Friezes on Cypriot Iron Age PotteryCompendium
- Medicine and Healing in Ancient CyprusCompendium
- Music and Musical Instruments in Ancient CyprusCompendium
- Mycenaean Imports and Local ImitationsCompendium
- Neolithic CyprusCompendium
- Neolithic and Chalcolithic Burial in CyprusCompendium
- Neolithic and Picrolite FigurinesCompendium
- Plain White WareCompendium
- Plants, Trees and Palms on Cypriot PotteryCompendium
- Population and Demography in Ancient CyprusCompendium
- Pottery Kilns and Firing in Ancient CyprusCompendium
- Red Polished Philia WareCompendium
- Red Polished Zoomorphic Vessels and Animal FigurinesCompendium
- Red-on-White WareCompendium
- Ring-Dance GroupsCompendium
- Roman CyprusCompendium
- Snowman FigurinesCompendium
- SwastikasCompendium
- The Legal Export of Cypriot AntiquitiesCompendium
- Tulip Bowls and Cult VesselsCompendium
- Village Life in Late Bronze Age CyprusCompendium
- Vounous and Early Bronze Age BurialCompendium
- Wavy LinesCompendium
- Weapons of Bronze Age CyprusCompendium
- Writing and Literacy in Ancient CyprusCompendium
- Bichrome IV Amphora with a Lotus-and-Bud Shoulder FriezeObject
- Bichrome IV Face-Neck Jar of the Kourion TypeObject
- Bichrome IV Jug with a Waterfowl Catching a FishObject
- Bichrome IV Trefoil Jug with Intersecting Circles and Cyprus Museum Lead SealObject
- Bichrome V Jug with Painted Eyes and Leaf StrokesObject
- Combed Ware Bowl Fragment with Parallel BandsObject
- Large Bichrome Amphora with a Wavy Line on the NeckObject
- Plain Red Polished Spindle WhorlObject
- Red Polished Black-Topped Bottle with Stepped Incised BandsObject
- Red Polished Two-Necked Plank FigureObject
- Spindle Whorl with Incised Herringbone BandsObject
- Terracotta Female Figure with Outstretched ArmsObject
- White Painted Jug with Painted Eyes, Chevron Arrow and SwastikaObject
- White Painted Trefoil Jug with Painted Eyes and Dotted CrossesObject
- White Painted Trefoil Jug with Painted Eyes and SwastikasObject
Sources
- 1.Lawrence E. Stager (ed.), Anne M. Walker (ed.) (1989). American Expedition to Idalion, Cyprus, 1973-1980. Chicago, Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.
- 2.E. Aloupi, A. Karydas, P. Kokkinias, T. Paradellis et al. (2001). “Non-destructive analysis and visual recording survey of the pottery collection in the Nicosia Museum, Cyprus”. Archaeometry Issues in Greek Prehistory and Antiquity, 397-410. Athens, Hellenic Society for Archaeometry.
- 3.K. Nicolaou (1966). “Archaeology in Cyprus, 1961-66”. Archaeological Reports 12, 27-43. Online
- 4.K. Nicolaou (1976). “Archaeology in Cyprus, 1969-76”. Archaeological Reports 22.
- 5.K. Nicolaou (1981). “Archaeology in Cyprus, 1976-80”. Archaeological Reports 27.
- 6.V. Karageorghis (1961). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1960”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 85.
- 7.V. Karageorghis (1962). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1961”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 86.
- 8.V. Karageorghis (1963). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1962”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 87.
- 9.V. Karageorghis (1964). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1963”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 88.
- 10.V. Karageorghis (1969). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1968”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 93.
- 11.V. Karageorghis (1974). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1973”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 98.
- 12.V. Karageorghis (1977). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1976”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 101.
- 13.V. Karageorghis (1978). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1977”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 102.
- 14.V. Karageorghis (1981). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1980”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 105.
- 15.V. Karageorghis (1985). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1984”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 109.
- 16.V. Karageorghis (1987). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1986”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 111.
- 17.A. Bounia, T. Stylianou-Lambert (2011). “National museums in Cyprus: a story of heritage and conflict”. Building National Museums in Europe 1750-2010. Conference proceedings from EuNaMus.
- 18.H.-G. Buchholz (1989). “Max Ohnefalsch-Richter als Archäologe auf Zypern”. Cahiers du Centre d'Études Chypriotes 11-12, 3-27.
- 19.H. W. Catling (2009). “Review of V. Karageorghis, A Lifetime in the Archaeology of Cyprus (2007)”. Cahiers du Centre d'Études Chypriotes 39.
- 20.W. A. P. Childs (ed.), J. S. Smith (ed.), J. M. Padgett (ed.) (2012). City of Gold: The Archaeology of Polis Chrysochous, Cyprus. Princeton, Princeton University Art Museum.
- 21.Ormonde M. Dalton (1906). “A second silver treasure from Cyprus”. Archaeologia 60, 1-24. Online
- 22.P. Dikaios (1937). “An Iron Age Painted Amphora in the Cyprus Museum”. Annual of the British School at Athens 37, 56-72.
- 23.P. Dikaios (1947). A Guide to the Cyprus Museum. Nicosia, Department of Antiquities. Online
- 24.P. Dikaios (1962). “Archaeology in Cyprus, 1959-61”. Archaeological Reports 8, 32-46. Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies. Online
- 25.P. Dikaios (1961). Sotira. Philadelphia, University Museum, University of Pennsylvania.
- 26.The Discovery of Ancient Cyprus.
- 27.Michael Given (2001). “The fight for the past: Watkins vs. Warren (1885-6) and the control of excavation”. Cyprus in the 19th Century AD: Fact, Fancy and Fiction, 255-260. London, British Museum.
- 28.E. Gjerstad (1980). Ages and Days in Cyprus.
- 29.Matthias Recke (2012). “Deutschland und das antike Zypern. Beiträge zur Geschichte einer archäologischen Disziplin”. Cahiers du Centre d'Études Chypriotes 42.
- 30.V. Karageorghis (1976). Kition: Mycenaean and Phoenician Discoveries in Cyprus. London, Thames and Hudson.
- 31.V. Karageorghis (1984). “Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1983”. Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 108.
- 32.V. Karageorghis, F. Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou, D. Papanikola-Bakirtzis, C. Elliott (1985). Ancient Cypriote Art in the Pierides Foundation Museum.
- 33.V. Karageorghis (1989). The Cyprus Museum, Nicosia.
- 34.V. Karageorghis (1990). The A. G. Leventis Foundation and the Cultural Heritage of Cyprus.
- 35.T. Kiely (2017). “Britain and the archaeology of Cyprus II: 1914 to the present day”. Cahiers du Centre d'Études Chypriotes 47, 253-310. Online
- 36.T. Kiely, S. Fourrier (2012). “Excavations at Kition-Bamboula 1879. Finds in the British Museum”. Cahiers du Centre d'Études Chypriotes 42, 273-.
- 37.T. Kiely, R. S. Merrillees (2012). “The archaeological interests of Samuel Brown, government engineer, and his circle of acquaintances in late nineteenth-century Cyprus”. Cahiers du Centre d'Études Chypriotes 42, 245-272. Online
- 38.A. G. Marangou (ed.) (2000). The Consul Luigi Palma di Cesnola 1832-1904: Life and Deeds.
- 39.George H. McFadden, Erik Sjöqvist (1954). “A Late Cypriote III Tomb from Kourion Kaloriziki No. 40”. American Journal of Archaeology 58, 131-142. Archaeological Institute of America. Online
- 40.A. H. S. Megaw (1951). “Archaeology in Cyprus, 1949-1950”. Journal of Hellenic Studies 71, 258-260. Online
- 41.A. H. S. Megaw (1953). “Archaeology in Cyprus, 1952”. Journal of Hellenic Studies 73. Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies.
- 42.A. H. S. Megaw (1954). “Archaeology in Cyprus, 1954”. Archaeological Reports 1, 28-34. Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies.
- 43.Robert Stuart Merrillees (2005). “Towards a fuller history of the Cyprus Museum”. Cahiers du Centre d'Études Chypriotes 35, 191-214. Online
- 44.Robert Stuart Merrillees (2014). “George Basil Palma, Chemist and Collector of Cypriote Antiquities in Famagusta, Cyprus, in the 20th Century A.D.”. Cahiers du Centre d'Études Chypriotes 44. Online
- 45.D. M. Metcalf (2009). Byzantine Cyprus 491-1191. Nicosia, Cyprus Research Centre.
- 46.V. Karageorghis (2003). Ancient Cypriote Art in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens. Athens, Kapon Editions, for the A. G. Leventis Foundation.
- 47.J. L. Myres, M. Ohnefalsch-Richter (1899). A Catalogue of the Cyprus Museum. Oxford, Clarendon Press.
- 48.Kyriakos Nicolaou (1970). “Archaeological News from Cyprus, 1968”. American Journal of Archaeology 74, 71-78.
- 49.Kyriakos Nicolaou (1970). “Archaeological News from Cyprus, 1969”. American Journal of Archaeology 74, 391-400.
- 50. (1983). “Obituary: Joan du Plat Taylor”. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology 12. Online
- 51.Max Ohnefalsch-Richter (1893). Kypros, the Bible and Homer. London, Asher & Co.. Online
- 52.Despo Pilides (ed.), Nikolas Papadimitriou (ed.) (2012). Ancient Cyprus: Cultures in Dialogue. Department of Antiquities, Cyprus.
- 53.M. Recke (2018). Like Herrings in a Barrel: Max Ohnefalsch-Richter.
- 54.Anna Holly Reeve (2021). “Ancient Cyprus in Leeds: Objects, Networks and Museums from 1870 to 1947”. PhD thesis, University of Leeds.
- 55.Stephan G. Schmid (2025). “Was there an official German interest in the archaeology of Cyprus between 1878 and 1914?”. Empire & Excavation: Critical perspectives on archaeology in British-period Cyprus, 1878-1960, 69-92. Leiden, Sidestone Press.
- 56.Veronica Tatton-Brown (ed.) (2001). Cyprus in the 19th Century AD: Fact, Fancy and Fiction. Oxford, Oxbow.
- 57.Nicholas Stanley-Price (2018). “Illicit excavation: the trial of Alessandro Palma di Cesnola in Cyprus in 1878”. The Antiquaries Journal 98, 297-317.
- 58.Nicholas Stanley-Price (2025). “Illicit excavation and the sale of 'duplicate' antiquities: Rupert Gunnis and the Cyprus Museum, 1926-1932”. Cahiers du Centre d'Études Chypriotes 55, 269-301. Online
- 59.Nicholas Stanley-Price (2025). “Colonial society and the dismissal of John Hilton, first Director of Antiquities in Cyprus”. Empire & Excavation: Critical perspectives on archaeology in British-period Cyprus, 1878-1960, 109-126.
- 60.T. Stylianou-Lambert, A. Bounia (2016). The Political Museum: Power, Conflict, and Identity in Cyprus.
- 61.Christine Winkelmann (2020). The Neolithic and Chalcolithic Figurines of Cyprus. Münster, Zaphon.
- 62.K. Zeman-Wisniewska. “The Cyprus Museum and the beginnings of heritage protection in Cyprus”. Archaeologica Hereditas: Archaeology without borders. Papers in honour of Louis Daniel Nebelsick. Warsaw, Institute of Archaeology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University.