Circular flat base, slightly tapering walls terminating in a narrow rib and a short, recessed rim which projects over the well, to hold the now missing cover. The body has two trilobed attachment plates riveted with copper nails. One of these has retained a ring in the shape of a palmette. Although ancient, it may not be original to the piece. Beneath each attachment plate is an epigraphic section in a horizontal fillet with incurving sides.

The body is engraved with three niches, each with cusped upper arches and waisted jambs. Each frames a seated figure set against a scrolling foliate ground:

1. a seated musician, wearing a turban with two bands of cloth, his head framed by a halo of glory. Seated three-quarters to the right, in his right hand he holds an unindentified musical instrument.
2. a cross-legged scribe, also tubanned and haloed, seated facing the spectator, writing with a pointed reed on a wooden tablet that is inscribed, 'for the teacher'.
3. a kneeling figure turned in the direction of the scribe but looking out at the spectator, holds out a rectangular object with a hole in the centre. He/she wears a cap whch is surrounded by the halo of glory.

Pairs of roundels flank each niche.

On the underside of the base, three sections of a plaited motif are enclosed by cartouches with double framing fillets. There is a hole at the centre.

On the inner projecting rim 15 arches have been engraved with dividers.

Patina: blackish with olive undertones, removed by acid cleaning over decorated areas.