Horn Shaped Ritual Vessel

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Horn Shaped Ritual Vessel
China; Ming dynasty; 16th-17th c.

The surface is covered with shallow carving of clouds among which in high relief are three snakelike dragons (chi-hu-long). This motif first appeared during the Han dynasty. In the 17th and 18th cc. it was revived in the Qing dynasty when the snakelike dragons were executed in valuable materials such as jade, porcelain and ivory.