The cup is well-hollowed and carved on the exterior as an upturned makara or dragon with wide open jaws, a finely incised scaly body, sharp claws and scrolling wings, all on a ground of scale pattern below a narrow rope border and a wide band of archaistic bird scrolls, with a narrow band of key fret at the rim. The handle is formed as a chilong clambering up one narrow side to grip the rim, supported on three dragon legs.