Fangding - Leopardite - China - 20th century

The Fangding (方鼎) is an ancient Chinese ritual vessel of quadrangular or rectangular shape, typically supported by four feet (quadruped).
Originariamente made in ceramic or bronze, it was used since the Shang Dynasty (circa 1600–1046 BCE) to cook, store food, or as a ritual censer during offerings to gods and ancestors.
The Fangding in question is made of leopardite, also known as leopard skin jasper or riolite, a variety of jasper characterized by circular or irregular spots that recall a leopard's coat. Composed mainly of silica, it displays warm colors (creamy, brown, orange) with dark spots due to inclusions of manganese, iron, or quartz.
Complete with a lid topped by a sculpture of a small animal, perhaps a guardian lion (shishi) or a Foo dog, it features decorative side handles that seem to depict dragon heads or other mythological animals, two rings of 3.5 cm and engravings with dragon/griffin motifs on the central part, on both sides.
It rests on a contemporaneous carved wooden base that completes its display.
Large in size, dimensions with/without base: cm H 25/22 x 20 x 9.5; weight with/without base: g 2,211 / g 2,129.
Overall, in excellent condition, no cracks, no restorations.
Insured shipping with professional packaging.