Warring States (475-221 BC) to Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) period
Height: 32 cm, body circumference: 98.8 cm
This piece of black pottery has a body in the shape of a silkworm cocoon. The outer surface of the vessel is decorated with multiple sets of parallel lines, in between which are engraved ninety characters of a poem written by the Ch'ien-lung Emperor (r. 1736-1795). The vessel was originally used for storing alcoholic beverages.