The mouth is slightly bent outwards, the neck short, and the shoulder has a very slight sideways slant. Four decorative extensions are attached to the shoulder, half resting on the conspicuous transition to the belly. The latter is long, slightly rounded, and tapers towards the broad round foot. The belly is engraved with lotus blossoms and leaves, with mandarin ducks swimming in between. The lotus blossoms show delicate veining, as do the leaves. The feathers and bodies of the ducks are carved in a similarly meticulous fashion, and are embellished with fine parallel lines and semicircular designs. The birds are captured in motion, wriggling and apparently in pursuit of each other. The lower part of the jar's belly is adorned with two rows of a lotus petal pattern, giving the design a clear structure. The taut overall composition and scrupulously executed details imbue the decorative design with depth and vivid complexity, which is particularly rare in a vessel of such small proportions. Altogether, a piece of top-grade Yue ware.

H: 13 cm