Used to contain ritual wine.
The pot consists of 3 parts: the lid, the body and the column base. The lid is in hemisphere shape, connected to the body by a chain with 4 rings. The body is in a spherical shape casted with S-shape folding patterns around. The carrying handle is in the shape of a dragon head. The three base legs are straight and smooth. The content of the inscription is:
御製
和羹則壏梅濟川資舟用賢勿貳俾佐我邦家陰暘調燮
明命己亥
倣商阜父丁和
Literal Translation:
Made by the Emperor
Cooking soup requires spices and fats, river crossing requires boat and paddle. Being faithful with talented People makes domestic affairs fluent.
Minh Mang, Ky Hoi Year
Adapted from an ancient pot of Shang Dynasty