Basalt tripod vessel or mortar
Unknown Artist
ca. 2500–1050 BCE
Medium
Basalt
Dimensions
H. 4 13/16 in. (12.2 cm); Diam. 9 9/16 in. (24.3 cm)
Classification
Miscellaneous-Stone Vases
Culture & Period
Cypriot · Late Bronze Age
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.5057
Art Historical Context
This striking basalt tripod vessel or mortar hails from ancient Cyprus during the Late Bronze Age (. 2500–1050 BCE), a time when the island thrived as a vibrant hub of Mediterranean trade and craftsmanship. Standing just 4 13/16 inches (12.2 cm) tall with a broad diameter of 9 9/16 inches (24.3 cm), its three sturdy legs provided stability for practical use—likely as a mortar for grinding grains, pigments, or herbs, or as a vessel mixing and storage. Crafted by an unknown artist, it exemplifies the Cypriot mastery of hard volcanic stone, prized for its durability and resistance to wear. Basal...