This sturdy tripod vessel is a form that originated in the Chinese tripod censers of the Shang dynasty (c.1600-1027 BCE). It has ring handles attached to monster mask reliefs on the outer walls, which resemble the tao-tie masks found in the Chinese bronze tradition.The elaborate decoration comprise pairs of entwined scaly dragons in the middle of the vessel and a variety of lively animal motifs at the bottom that include elephants, a monkey, long-horned deer, birds, horses and a tortoise that are depicted as if running or chasing each other around the vessel. The cover has a similar band.
