²⁴ It was encircled just below its rim by two rows of decorative gourds. There were about six gourds per foot^[a] all the way around, and they were cast as part of the basin.

²⁵ The Sea was placed on a base of twelve bronze oxen,^[b] all facing outward. Three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east, and the Sea rested on them. ²⁶ The walls of the Sea were about three inches^[c] thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a water lily blossom. It could hold about 11,000 gallons^[d] of water.