British Perceptions of Cyprus and the Production of Ceramics from 1809 to 1920

Abstract The advent of British administration of Cyprus in 1878 brought this Mediterranean island to the attention of the British public, whose perceptions and beliefs formed an important context for the development of Government policy. This article draws on representations of Cyprus in British-made ceramics from 1809 to 1920, to explore what the idea of Cyprus conveyed to their manufacturers and consumers both before and after the events of 1878. It also considers the impact of the arrival of ancient Cypriot pottery on the British auction market and in museums from around 1870, especially the efforts made in South Kensington and Staffordshire to provide access to Cypriot ceramics as models for design. It investigates how artists and designers drew on these antiquities in creating their own work, leading to their circulation in new forms beyond antiquarian networks. It examines a range of ceramic productions, from mass-produced transferware and souvenir ornaments to art pottery, analysing their forms and decoration, and exploring how these relate to their social and cultural contexts. Material culture, such as ceramics, offers a fresh way of exploring changes in perceptions and attitudes towards Cyprus over time.