Ashmolean Cypriot Bull Charm

Empower yourself with this antique gold charm of a bull, based on a Cypriot zoomorphic rhyton (libation vessel). In Cypriot art and culture, the bull symbolises fertility and strength, as well as playing an important role in Cypriot religion associated with both male and female fertility.

For lovers of historical artefacts, the Cypriot bull has been replicated in minute and delicate detail. Just simply clip the charm onto our special charm necklace or bracelet, and mix and match with other exquisite pieces from the Ashmolean's collections.

Each charm is sold separately, and you can find a link to the rest of the charms collection by clicking here.

The original bull rhyton or vessel has a filling hole at the back of the bull's head, a tiny pouring hole at the snout and a handle of top, making it the perfect oil or vinegar vessel. It is an example of Base Ring Ware, developed as one type of Cypriot pottery ware in the Late Bronze Age (c. 1650-1050 BCE). It is very fine, thin-walled and hard wired, and almost has a metal-clang to it when you tap it. This bull and all other zoomorphic vessels and figurines show that general pottery decoration techniques were used during this period, and that the white stripes on this piece are not necessarily indicating fur patterns of the bull.

The Bill Skinner Studio is a British-based jewellery designer who captures magnificent animals and natural subjects in exquisite detail. Skinner launched his namesake brand with a collection of remarkably charismatic and distinctive pieces in 2012. Inspired by the natural world, the team work from their studio in Kent and hand-carve every delicate piece to ensure that the utmost detail is obtained.

Credit: Base Ring II bull figurine, Cyprus, (c.1550–c.1200 BC). Ceramic.