The Dishes of Ancient Cyprus
The Dish is simply defined as a flat vessel. In the common day these are usually called plates!
Note that dishes are subsets of Bowls, which are defined as vessels where the opening is the widest part.
Bronze Age Dishes
Iron Age Dishes
As with much of the pottery from ancient Cyprus, the dawn of the Iron age heralded extreme changes to both style and shape - with the dish being no exception. Dishes in the Iron age were made in a few different types and styles, most notably in Wheelmade White Painted as well as Bichrome. The decoration across these style is remarkably consistent, with a few patterns quickly emerging which carry through to the archaic.
Iron Age Dish Motifs & Patterns
The most common patterns found on smaller dishes, ranging from 10cm to 20cm, are the prototypical circular geometric red and black slip patterns. These are also often found on the less flat/shallow dishes that are more bowl like.
Patterns Unique to Wheelmade White Painted Dishes
Wheelmade white painted wares were highly popular dishes in the Iron age, with sizes ranging from around 15cm to 30+cm handle to handle.
The handles of white painted dishes were often rounded when small and "whishbone" handles for the larger examples.
Patterns Unique to Bichrome Dishes
Bichrome dishes had a wide variety in patterns and ornamentation.