This piece is a fine example of Bactrian craftsmanship from the Hellenistic period. It forms part of the long and rich tradition of stonework and inlay that flourished in this remote region of Western Asia as early as the Early Bronze Age.
The body, which has a flat, circular base but does not ensure the vessel is well balanced, is hemispherical in shape: it has been carved with great precision. The lid, with its domed profile, depicts the body of a bird in a simple, stylised manner: it features a central, triangular knob and a small side handle, which correspond respectively to the bird’s head and tail.