Amlash Iron-age Pottery Pitcher: 10th-9th Century BC

A finely moulded glossy reddish-orange Amlash pitcher of the early Iron Age, with a wide, globular body. A single handle with vestigial animal head knob at the top, extending from just below the rim to the shoulders. The vessel stands on a flat base. Early Iron Age: Circa 10th-9th century Bc. Complete, with good fabric; surface accretions to much of the body. Height 17.3 cms (6.8 ins) Provenance: Ex P.C. UK collection 1990-2010 (The term ‘Amlash Culture’, has generally been used to designate material cultures excavated at Gilan, an archaeological type site (a site that is considered the model of a particular archaeological culture) on the southern shore of the Caspian sea, and refers to a group of Iron Age pottery and metal executions with a strong visual character. Most of the Amlash pottery vessels are believed to have stylistically and typologically been inspired by bronze wares of the same period. Despite its proximity to the large Mesopotamian cultures, the geographical barrier of the high Zagros and Elburz Mountains kept it relatively isolated and a unique ceramic tradition developed there).