Vase with carved archaic decoration

This thin-walled vase, with its pear-shaped body and wide mouth, mimics the shape of a bronze hu—a ritual wine vessel popular in ancient China. Its decoration, carved in relief, comprises two stylized animals, likely dragons or phoenixes, repeated on each side. The soft, creamy white color of the glaze was probably intended as an imitation of Song-dynasty porcelain from the kilns at Dingyao.