Used to cook or contain ritual foods.
The body is in hemisphere shape with 2 C-shape handles. The three legs of the cauldron spread outward. The body is divided into 5 slots casted with pairs of dragon-transforming fish on folding patterns background. The inscription on the bottom:
御製
惟辟作福作威玉食然毋以威福為己私玉食為己職
明命己亥
倣周子父舉鼎
Literal Translation:
Made by the Emperor
Only the Emperor offer happiness, authority and rice. Do not offer happiness and authority for self and rice for position.
Minh Mang, Ky Hoi Year
Adapted from a cauldron of Zhou Dynasty.