modelled after an archaic bronze fangding vessel, the body rising to a broad shoulder and waisted neck, surmounted by a galleried rim supporting a pair of handles, all resting on four removable tubular legs, each side of the body centred with a raised cartouche skilfully depicting a mirror image of the opposite side, each of the longer sides decorated with three figures dressed in European attire against an idyllic scene with verdant trees and a lake, each of the shorter ones with gourds and flowering blooms borne on leafy stems, separated by clusters of multi-coloured blooms borne on undulating leafy stems against a stippled blue ground, the exquisite motif extensively repeated on the upper rim, handles and legs, the legs further accentuated with cicada lappets, all below floral and foliate bands collaring the rim and neck, the base enamelled white and centred with a blue six-character seal mark within a square, the stepped cover with rounded edges, the surface decorated with clusters of stylised floral blooms borne on meandering scrolling foliage, further detailed with two reticulated bands, all below a stylised gilt-bronze finial supported on a yellow-enamelled floral base, the interior of the vessel and cover enamelled turquoise