Vessel with Zoomorphic Handle

This vessel with a zoomorphic handle was produced in Chach (Shash) in the 2nd century BCE – 1st century CE, during the formative phase of the Kaunchi cultural tradition. The region stood at the intersection of nomadic steppe and settled agricultural worlds, which shaped the distinctive character of its ceramics.
The vessel features a rounded body and a widening rim. The handle is shaped as a stylized animal figure, a characteristic feature of early Chach ceramics. Such zoomorphic elements may have carried symbolic or protective meanings within the broader Iranian cultural sphere of the region.
Technologically, the object belongs to the transitional period from hand-building to the use of the potter’s wheel. The surface is smoothed and evenly fired at approximately 800–900 °C.
This vessel reflects the early artistic language of Chach, combining function and symbolism