Octagonal covered jar

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Octagonal covered jar by Unknown Artist shows an octagonal bronze jar with a bronze lid. The jar is primarily a brownish-gray color with areas of reddish-brown visible beneath a green patina. The lid features a protruding lip; it is topped with a seated figure. The body of the jar widens from a narrow octagonal base to a wider, rounded octagonal form; the base features eight short curved feet. The body and lid are decorated with chased and engraved designs depicting a procession; the designs alternate with bands of Chinese characters. The background of the image is a single color, light gray.