Used to cook or contain ritual foods.
The body is in spherical shape, the two handles are in C shape and the three legs spread outward. The neck of the cauldron is divided into 14 squares casted with pairs of folding patterns, the body is casted with wave and water patterns. The inscription in the bottom is:
御製
估人製器可傳至玆今人製器豈無有思子子孫孫應萬世垂持盈保泰永寶享之
明命己亥
倣周雝公緘鼎
Literal Translation:
Made by the Emperor
While the predecessors made useful instruments that can be transferred from generation to generation, do people today make things with any ideas? The descendants therefore should keep the items as well as protect the country.
Minh Mang, Ky Hoi Year
Adapting a type of cauldron of Zhou Dynasty..