A finely modelled Amlash terracotta jug, featuring a globular body that tapers upwards to a cylindrical neck leading to an everted, out-splayed rim with a small pinched spout. The vessel sits on a flat, circular base. An applied handle extends from the vessel’s upper neck to the shoulder, and features an applied granular decoration at the top. The body of the vessel is decorated with a trail of engraved concentric circles. The trail encircles the base of the neck of the jug and descends to wrap under the handle. Earthly encrustations and slight scratches, pitting to the surface as typical for age. There is an area of dark discolouration to the body. The term ‘Amlash Culture’, has generally been used to designate material cultures excavated at Gilan, an archaeological site on the south 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 been stylistically and typologically inspired by bronze wares of the same period. Amalsh Iron Age pottery tradition favoured bird iconographies as their conventional repertoire. Terracotta vessels of this type were clearly designed as pouring vessels, but they might have been used in a particular funerary ritual and ceremonial occasion. Measurements: H 14.5cm x W 8.5cm Provenance: Ex. specialist Near Eastern pottery collection, London, 1990s.