This very distinctively shaped vessel carved in imitation of an archaic bronze form, was used to hold artist's materials. Coloured pigments were kept in the tubular compartments at each corner subdivided by wooden compartments, while the central compartment held a saucer and water for mixing the colours. For a discussion of the bronze prototypes, cf. Cheng Te Kun, 'The T'u-Lu Colour-Container of the Shang-Chou Period', B.M.F.E.A., no.37, 1965, p.239-249, pl.1-6, where examples in jade, marble and pottery are also illustrated.

Compare the two jade vessels of this form in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, illustrated by d'Argence in Chinese Jades in the Avery Brundage Collection, pl. LV. Each has a similar crouching dragon in the centre of the cover and coiled dragons at the corners. A vessel originally from the Summer Palace, Beijing, now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, is illustrated by Willis, Jade, pl.16. Two other examples are illustrated by Nott, Chinese Jade, pl.CIII and col. pl. CV. Another jadeite example from an American Private Collection sold in these Rooms, 25 October 1993, lot 1014. A spinach-green jade example is illustrated in Masterworks of Chinese Jade in the National Palace Museum, pl.42