Antique oriental vase. Made of bronze. The handles are made in the shape of dragons. The body of the vase is decorated with an insert depicting a phoenix among peonies. Japan, 20th century

The handles of the vase are made in the shape of dragons; in northern folklore they are designated as wyverns, dragons with one pair of legs and a pair of wings, rather than their ancestors, who rested on all four legs and had a pair of powerful wings.