Lecture by Dr Anna Reeve: Ideas of Cyprus in British-made ceramics, 1809-1920

Lecture by Dr Anna Reeve, Research Fellow at the Institute of Classical Studies, London

How do British ideas of Cyprus change over the course of the 19th century, and how are they reflected in material culture such as ceramics produced for domestic audiences? Drawing on examples from CVAR’s own collections and elsewhere, I will explore the ways in which images on transferware, and the forms of art pottery and souvenir ornaments, relate to changing ideas of Cyprus in the popular imagination, and respond to the presence of Cypriot antiquities in UK museums and galleries as sources of design inspiration.

The lecture will be held in English.

Anna Reeve is a material culture historian whose research interests focus on the excavation and collection of Cypriot antiquities and their reception in the UK, especially in museums. Her doctoral thesis explored the ancient Cypriot collection at Leeds Museums and Galleries, and its histories of excavation, collection and display. She has recently co-edited (with Dr Thomas Kiely and Dr Lindy Crewe) Empire and excavation. Critical perspectives on archaeology in British-period Cyprus, 1878–1960 (Sidestone Press, 2025). She is Co-Chair of the Classical Collections Network, which supports the study and use of Classical collections in UK museums.

This event is made possible with the support of The Hellenic Initiative Canada.