Roundel, disk

Art Historical Context

This delicate roundel, or disk, crafted from hippopotamus ivory, hails from ancient Cyprus during the Late Bronze Age (13th–12th century BCE). Measuring just 2½ inches in diameter and a mere quarter-inch thick, its petite scale suggests it served as an inlay for furniture, a decorative ornament, or perhaps part of a larger composite object like jewelry or a seal. The use of hippopotamus ivory—a rare material sourced from Nile River hippos in Egypt—highlights Cyprus's pivotal role as a bustling trade nexus in the eastern Mediterranean, linking the Aegean, Levant, and Near East. Ivory-working was a prized craft in Cypriot culture, symbolizing wealth and technical mastery. Artisans likely carved and polished this disk by hand, exploiting the material's creamy translucence and durability to create subtle luster. Such objects reflect the island's cosmopolitan society, influenced by Mycenaean Greeks, Egyptians, and locals, during a time of vibrant exchange before the Bronze Age collapse. Acquired through The Cesnola Collection—assembled by diplomat-turned-archaeologist Luigi Palma di Cesnola in the 1870s—this piece now graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Greek and Roman Art department, offering a tangible glimpse into Cyprus's enigmatic ancient world.