Of archaistic gu form, the bulbous mid-section decorated with gilt taotie mask on a chiselled ground, supported on a spreading foot and flaring at the neck to a trumpet mouth.Modelled after the archaic ritual wine vessels known as gu, the present vase was created for the scholar's studio. Vessels of this type were made primarily as works of art used for holding flowers, a branch of coral, or other decorative scholarly items. H:15.5CM L:10.5CM