Vase in the Form of Archaic Hu

A square-bodied jade vase with a flaring rectangular mouth, a twisted rope-like band at the neck, and two loose ring handles with carved mask-like terminals. The pale greenish-white stone shows small brown markings, especially near the base and on the lower body.

Look closer: A small brown discoloration on the base and a rust-colored mark on the lower body, natural inclusions in the stone.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1700s

Medium

pale greenish-white jade with brown markings

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

3400 × 3365 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance and Greta Millikin Collection