Funerary jar

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The funerary jar by artist unknown is a gray-colored ceramic object. The jar has a wide base that narrows slightly as it rises, with a short foot at the bottom. The body of the jar features an etched design resembling overlapping petals or leaves. There are two raised bands around the jar's body. Six cylindrical protrusions extend from the middle section of the jar. The lid is tiered, with a small knob on top that has two holes for eyes, suggesting an animal or human-like face. Under the knob, the lid has a series of petal-like shapes around its edge. The background is a gradient from dark gray at the top to light gray at the bottom. The jar casts a faint shadow on the surface below it.