A splendid cast glass teapot decorated with figures of mythical animals in high relief and taotie motifs in low relief on the globular body of the vessel. Each beast around the vessels has been afforded its own character. A phoenix sits on top of the lid, a griffin stands on the spout, while a sinuous chilong dragon forms the handle of the teapot.
The form of the piece is inspired by contemporary bronze and rock crystal models. During the Qing Dynasty, glass became more widely used and craftsmen started to reinterpret traditional forms using this new material, creating surprising results.