The current vase is representative of two prominent trends centred around the theme of 'imitation' in Chinese ceramic art. The practice of simulating the look and feel of one material through another, stemmed from the Western technique of trompe l'oeil, tricking the viewer into believing that they are indeed looking at an object made of the imitated material rather than a skilfully-potted piece of porcelain. Materials imitated on ceramics from the 18th century onwards, include wood, various hardstones, carved red lacquer and bronze. The arts of China have also constantly drawn on historical tradition for inspiration throughout the ages and archaic forms are frequently imitated in ceramic form. The current example is modelled in the form of an archaic bronze ritual drinking vessel known as a gu.