Qing Imperial Palace: Vessel

CHINA, Beijing; Qing dynasty

This vessel, which was once part of the imperial collection in the Forbidden City, served as a Dharma instrument used to hold consecrated water during the Vajrayana Buddhist empowerment ritual.
Shaped like a gourd, the lower part of the vessel has a flat bottom, and the body curves outwards culminating in broad shoulders and a narrow neck. The upper portion consists of an oblate spheroid followed by a small lid with a round knob at the top. A yellow cord is tied around the neck, and the spout curves majestically towards its mouth, which is level with the base of the lid. The vessel is covered in several types of decorations including butterflies, deer, fruit, and floral patterns.