The term ‘Amlash Culture’, has generally been used to designate material cultures excavated at Gilan, an archaeological site of ancient Iran, 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. Among the greatly varied zoomorphic repertories that were prevalent during the 1st millennium BC, representations of birds were the most favoured designs, frequently used to adorn pottery vessels. Spouted vessels appeared to have been first executed by Luristan artists, under the strong influence metal vessels. However, Amlash artisans adapted Luristan art, incorporating it with an indigenous aesthetic taste. The presence of zoomorphic legs, as seen on this fine piece, can be red as a creative addition, typical of Amlash culture. Vessels as this object were probably used as ritual objects for special occasions.
