Up for bid is an antique Chinese metal jar with floral decoration, missing its lid, as is.  The piece is about 5 3/4 inches tall by 4 5/8 inches in diameter.  It is made of some sort of hard silvery metal that has oxidized to a brownish tone, not typical Chinese soft pewter.  It has a vertical lip for a missing slide-on lid.  The body is etched, with flower and bird decoration and an inscription in relief.  It has a square four-character seal mark on the base.

Condition on the piece is fair.  The lid is missing, and there are a few shallow dents and a couple of deeper gouges.  Still a decent Chinese antique item.