Jar (Guan)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Jar (Guan) is a large, rounded vessel with a wide body that tapers inward at the top. The body is widest at the middle and tapers to a narrow neck with a flared mouth. Two small handles are positioned on either side of the vessel. The surface features a series of horizontal lines around the top portion, and a decorative band of dark-colored, cloud-like shapes encircles the vessel just below the lines. The vessel appears to be made of clay and has a rough texture. The overall shape is symmetrical, with the handles and mouth aligned on the vertical axis.