17th centuryThe elegantly proportioned vessel, raised on a slightly recessed foot, well carved in high relief with five writhing chi-dragons clambering around the sides of the vessel decorated in low relief with a border of archaistic taotie masks divided by a curling flange on one side, the other side flanked by a curving double-strap handle, all below a border of whorl-circle medallions and above a band of ruyi-head lappets, the horn of dark caramel-brown tone. 13cm (5 1/8in) long.