I · THE OBJECT · BRITISH MUSEUM
First Cyprus Treasure
▶ Listen · narrated
This is not the treasure of a ruler, but a collection of religious silver, and its value lies in what it tells us about Byzantium's artistry.
At a glance
- Inventory number
- 1899,425.1-28
- Collection
- British Museum
- Discovery date
- 1897
Look closer
The nature of the hoard
This collection is made up entirely of liturgical objects. The lack of any personal or royal possessions implies that it may have belonged to a church or monastery.
Diversity in design
There are 28 individual pieces, and they vary widely in shape and function. Most are small, but some, like the silver plate with Christ’s bust and the double-handled cup decorated with crosses, have striking designs.
A mystery still
The discovery site is a monastery that was built centuries after the treasure was made, and nobody knows where it came from or why it ended up there. Scholars speculate on the story behind its burial, but the facts remain elusive
The story
When this hoard of silver objects was found near Lampousa in 1897, it was not the discovery of a king's fortune and it was not buried with any one person. It is called treasure only because it was precious, and because it was found buried. A group of twenty-eight silver objects, most likely made for religious use, were discovered inside the ruins of an ancient church. The story of this treasure begins in 1897, at the monastery of Acheiropoietos near Lampousa on the island of Cyprus. The site was already centuries old when the hoard was buried there. An archaeological team working on a dig found the objects inside what appeared to be an ancient tomb; but it seems that this tomb had been built into a wall. That makes a burial less likely. The treasure itself consists of twenty-eight silver objects, all related to religious services. There are plates, chalices, cups and bowls; some are plain, others intricately designed with crosses or other symbols. They were probably used in Christian ceremonies, but beyond that, little is known for sure about the hoard’s origin. There are no coins mixed in with these silver objects, so we cannot date them by the oldest coin present. And there was nothing inscribed on any of the pieces to tell us who made or owned them — just the fact that they were religious implements. It is clear enough that they had been collected together and buried at some point. The hoard itself could have been accumulated over time, perhaps with new silver objects added as old ones wore out; but it seems unlikely that any of these items was ever used for secular purposes. That makes the collection something special: a snapshot of Byzantine religious life, frozen in time.
Why it mattered then
In its own moment, this hoard represented a significant investment of resources into religious artefacts — and therefore into religious practice. The sheer quantity of silver objects suggests that the church or monastery to which they belonged had considerable wealth and influence. The items themselves provide insight into Byzantine artistry and craftsmanship during the early centuries of Christian worship. The design, execution, and symbols employed in these objects reflect the artistic sensibilities and theological beliefs of the time.
Why it matters now
Today, the First Cyprus Treasure offers valuable insights into the religious practices and artistic achievements of the early Byzantine period. It is a rare find because it has never been melted down for reuse or dispersed over centuries by being handed down to descendants. The treasure's survival as a complete set is testament to its burial in a church, which protected it from any subsequent looting. The preservation of so many artefacts together allows historians to study Byzantine religious practices and artistic techniques — especially the goldsmith’s trade — in considerable detail.
The surprising detail
The discovery site was already an ancient ruin at the time of the find: Acheiropoietos monastery. It had been built centuries after the treasure was made, so there is no direct connection between the two; and nobody knows where it came from or why it ended up there. Scholars speculate on the story behind its burial, but the facts remain elusive.
What is disputed
The circumstances surrounding the burial of the First Cyprus Treasure remain uncertain; but the hoard itself is undeniably a valuable historical artifact. It sheds light on Byzantine religious practices and artistic achievements during the early centuries of Christian worship.
Remember this
The First Cyprus Treasure offers a glimpse into Byzantine religious practices and artistic achievements of the early Christian church through its collection of liturgical silver objects.
Test yourself
Why is it unlikely that any of these items was ever used for secular purposes?
Because there are no coins mixed in with the silver objects, no personal possessions, and because all are religious implements. That makes the collection something special: a snapshot of Byzantine religious life, frozen in time.
Go deeper
Image: Jononmac46, CC BY-SA 3.0. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source.