Jar

The shape and color of this piece is meant to resemble a bronze vessel of the same shape. Occasionally these ceramics meant to look like bronzes are decorated with similar designs to the inspiration vessels. With a bulbous body, narrower neck, and small foot, this jar is a common type of ceramic for the time period, called the hu (壺). To further mimic the appearance of bronze a soft lead silicate glaze was applied to the jar, giving it the green/gray/black look visible today. Ceramics such as this were usually vessels for funerary offerings - most of the pottery that survives intact was found buried in tombs.