The term Cypriot Bichrome (Iron Age) draws on Einar Gjerstad's typological system (1932, 1948, 1960) and refers to a ware that is defined by the surface treatment of a vessel. The use of black and red paint together on an otherwise undecorated (no slip, wash, or similar covering) surface is common throughout the Cypro-Geometric, Cypro-Archaic, and Cypro-Classical periods. There are many different fabrics, shapes, and decorative schemes that are included within this ware family. As meaningful regional and chronological sub-families of this ware are identified, they should be added with descriptions of how those groups were identified and how they are defined. Gjerstad divided Bichrome ware into seven types (Types I-VII), which take all of Cyprus as one large group, are based mostly on vessels from tombs, and are largely differentiated by shape with differences interpreted by him as being chronologically rather than regionally meaningful. Where one of his Types appears to be meaningful, this should be entered into the vessel information under "shape type" with the appropriate reference to his system provided in bibliography for that object.
Sub ware: Salaminian Iron Age Bichrome ware
The “Salaminian Bichrome ware” describes a distinctive variant in the family of the common Bichrome technique throughout the island. Within the spectrum of pottery wares defining the Cypriot Iron Age pottery, the Bichrome technique stands out for its strong regional significance. Already from the beginning of the Iron Age, the pottery workshops of Salamis are distinguished for an increased use of this ware. It is applied to a specific but large repertoire of shapes, including variants of amphorae and jugs, as well as different types of deep and shallow bowls, that characterize the regional pottery production. The ornamental repertoire in Bichrome ware includes not only abstract geometric motifs, but also figurative representations constituting the hallmark of Salamis’ regional pottery production. A first peak in the production of Bichrome ware in the Salaminian workshops is to be placed in the Cypro-Geometric III period, c. 9th century BCE. This technique reaches a veritable apogee in the course of the Cypro-Archaic period, in the 7th and 6th centuries with the so-called “floral-style”, typifying a decorative style that is documented both in the Salaminian pottery craft, but also in coroplastic art.
The Salaminian Bichrome ware is attested not only at the centre of Salamis, but also in various known sites within the periphery of the polity, such as the Karpas and the Mesaoria plain. At the same time, characteristic vessel shapes of Salaminian pottery production have been documented in other regions of island, both in proximity to Salamis (such as Idalion, Kition, Lapithos), and more distant regions (such as Amathus, Kourion and Paphos). Finally, Salaminian Bichrome ware vessels have been documented in the Levant (for example at Tel Dor, Israel).