Used to contain ritual foods.
The tureen is in spherical shape with wide mouth and no lid. The shoulder is prototyped with 4 pattern groups of dragon flying in clouds. The body is divided with many horizontal lines. The two handles are in the shape of kirin head spraying water spreading down to the body. The legs are decorated with tiger heads on the top. The inscription in the bottom is:
御製
思法三代豈止漢唐永享勿失世世其昌
明命己亥
倣周敔敦
Literal Translation:
Made by the Emperor
Adapted from the San Dai period, not just from Han or Tang times. Remember to keep and develop this.
Minh Mang, Ky Hoi Year
Adapted from a type of tureen of Zhou dynasty.