Artwork preview

Jar (Guan)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Jar (Guan) is a large, bulbous vessel with a narrow mouth and two small handles on either side. The body of the jar tapers inward towards the base. The jar features a predominantly brown and tan color scheme with a geometric pattern consisting of zigzags and other shapes in dark brown on the upper portion. A decorative band encircles the upper part of the body. The background of the image transitions from dark gray at the top to light gray at the bottom.

Artwork details

Date:
Machang phase, ca. 2350–2050 BCE
Medium:
Earthenware with pigment
Culture:
China
Dimensions:
468 × 624 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette