CIRCA 13TH CENTURY A.D.

Sgraffito is the technique of decorating redware pottery by scratching through a thin layer of white slip prior to firing. Further decoration was then added by applying casual brush strokes of green pigment using copper oxide, as with this example. These chromatic elements enliven the design and contrast with the incised decoration.
The ceramic ware from the mid 12th century through to the early 13th centuries represent typical objects of Byzantine everyday life. They served as tableware and the most frequent designs on these types of dishes are geometric and decorative motifs, as well as creatures such as birds, fish, octopuses, starfish and even humans, framed by vegetable designs. They are in contrast to most other products of Byzantine everyday culture, displaying hardly any Christian motifs or symbols. This could be due to the fact that the vessels were also intended for the Islamic market.
The main production centres for Sgraffito ware were Paphos and Lapithos in Cyprus. Lapithos, located at the northern coast of the island, produced superior quality glazed and decorated ceramics. This exceptional example shares a close similarity with a dish that is probably the product of a workshop in Paphos in The Fitzwilliam Museum, acc. no. B/2003/070.