This tall, cylindrical bucket of heavy cured leather has a flat base, bulbous sides, sturdy rolled rim and leather-sheathed, thick, rope swing handle attached to the rim by means of iron D-shaped rings. The color of the bucket is dark green/black, with ornament and rims painted in darkened yellow and red.

Painted on the side of the bucket is the name of its owner, the Library Company of Philadelphia. Above the inscription is painted an ornamental scroll; below it is a sunburst.

Used by the Library Company of Philadelphia, which Franklin co-founded