Ivory disk with rosette

Art Historical Context

This delicate ivory disk, adorned with a intricately carvedsette, hails from ancient Cyprus during the Late Bronze Ageca. 1600–1050 BCE). Measuring just 2 inches (5.1 cm) in diameter, it exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Cypriot artisans who worked with imported elephant ivory—a rare and luxurious material traded across the eastern Mediterranean. The rosette motif, a floral or star-like pattern symbolizing beauty and perhaps fertility or celestial themes, was a popular decorative element in Cypriot art, on pottery, jewelry, seals. As a small, portable object classified under bone and ivory miscellanea, it likely served as an inlay for furniture, a mirror handle, or a gaming piece, highlighting Cyprus's role as a vibrant trading hub between Egypt, the Levant, and the Aegean. Ivory carving techniques involved careful incising and polishing to achieve depth and luster, showcasing technical skill amid the era's bronze-working prowess. Acquired through The Cesnola Collection (1874–76) at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this artifact offers a glimpse into the sophisticated daily life of Bronze Age Cyprus, bridging cultures in a time of intense maritime exchange.