"Base-Ring" juglet, with handle, earthenware, originally decorated with slip and having relief band round neck, from Cyprus, 1600-1400BC

Small jugs of this size seem to have been made in Cyprus. They were exported across the Ancient world, including Egypt. It probably held an expensive liquid. Its shape resembles the seed case of an opium poppy. This suggests the jug may have been used to export opium, dissolved in wine. This earthenware example is decorated with slip. A relief design is around the neck. Cyprus was a major exporter of opium in this period. However, opium poppies were grown in Egypt from the New Kingdom onwards (1580-1350 BCE).