While many jars such as this have been recovered from Han tombs, their purpose remains unknown. In form, they resemble in form the high stemmed, pierced ‘hill’ incense burners made in ceramic and bronze. The moulded decoration around the body was a Han dyntasy innovation, adding lively depictions of real and imagined animals to the design. The feet of this cylindrical ‘hill’ jar are in the form of bears, their faces evident on close inspection.

The cover is moulded in the shape of mountains piled up to a central peak, with several animals and a single human figure on the slopes. This rugged landscape is thought to represent the legendary Daoist ‘Isles of the Blest’, the abode of the Immortals. Such jars may also symbolise a wish from the living for the deceased to reach these Isles of the Blest and attain immortality. That Daoist ideas are included in mortuary furniture reflects the strong influence Daoism exercised during the Han period. Han emperor Wu-ti (reigned 141 to 87 BC) is reported to have even sent an expedition in search of the Daoist Isles of the Blest in search of the elixir of life.