The Archaeology Fund of the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan houses a sphero-conical vessel discovered in Beylagan. This remarkable archaeological artefact provides insight into the life of medieval Azerbaijani cities. The vessel’s name derives from its distinctive shape, which combines spherical and conical elements.

The sphero-conical vessel was discovered in 1962 by archaeologist G. M. Ahmadov during excavations at the ruins of the ancient city of Beylagan. The artefact dates to the 12th–13th centuries, a period when Beylagan flourished as one of Azerbaijan’s major centres of craftsmanship and trade.

The vessel is carefully shaped and relatively large in capacity. Following firing, the clay acquired a light grey colour. The mouth is formed as a flattened hemisphere with a slightly projecting rim, while the opening itself is circular. Three stepped bands decorate the shoulder. From the lowest stepped band to the middle of the body, the surface is adorned with raised, teardrop-shaped motifs arranged in a criss-cross pattern. The central section of the body is delineated by incised lines. Three rows of grooves encircle the flat, circular base. The remaining surface is plain and smooth. Its narrow neck, thick walls and small base give the sphero-conical vessel a compact, enclosed appearance.

Sphero-conical vessels were widely distributed across the Near and Middle East during the medieval period. Their precise function remains a subject of scholarly debate. Researchers have suggested that these vessels may have been used to store mercury, perfumery substances, medicinal preparations or beverages. Another hypothesis proposes that certain examples were filled with combustible mixtures and used as projectiles in warfare.

The Beylagan specimen attests to the presence of this distinctive type of ceramic vessel in Azerbaijan and demonstrates the high level of skill attained by local potters.