MING DYNASTY
Carved from topaz, the design is based on older vessels. The vessel has a wide mouth and is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. One side flows down and the middle bulges out slightly in a curve; a fold at the intersection of the neck and middle forms an oblique edge. One end of the body has a rectangular handle with an openwork carving on the curved upper half and an outward-turning lower half; the vessel had circular feet. The relief of a hornless dragon clinging onto the wall is carved onto the front and end of the vessel wall. The dragon’s head is close to the vessel’s mouth, a nod to the Chinese idiom “shoukou ruping†(as tight-lipped as a closed jar). The jade vessel copies classical designs and is a cultured and beautiful piece. In addition to its aesthetic value, the hidden meaning of this piece also makes it a wonderful gift.
H: 10 cm