Small square bronze covered vessel with a red carnelian knob on its lid, handles at the sides, and gold inlay on dark patinated metal, on a gray background.

Miniature Bronze Covered Vessel with Carnelian Finial

A small square bronze vessel with a domed lid topped by a reddish-orange carnelian knob carved as a sprig. Ear-shaped handles rise at the sides, and the body is decorated with gold-colored inlay and short stub feet. The dark patinated surface shows a scrolling pattern.

Artist: Unknown
Date: Ming dynasty (1368–1644) or Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Medium: Bronze with inlay
Source: Art Institute of Chicago
Size: 1686 × 1669 px

Download full size

Public domain · Art Institute of Chicago releases this image under CC0 (latest date 1911).
Rights checked 2026-11-05 · tier A · as stated by the source: CC0 (Art Institute of Chicago, is_public_domain=true)

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): Art Institute of Chicago, Lucy Maud Buckingham Collection

ming dynasty metalwork gold inlay art institute of chicago chinese bronze bronze vessel asian decorative arts small vessel qing dynasty