The true standard pointed-head gui first appeared in the Shang Dynasty and became popular during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. It was usually a jade ware used by ancient emperors or princes to indicate their status and rank during worship, sacrifice and funerals, and as a sacrificial vessel for oath-taking.
The front of this jade gui is stained by mist-like water, and is embossed with hook-cloud patterns. The hook-cloud patterns are connected on the front and back, and are symmetrical on the left and right and connected at the top. There are also fine negative lines to decorate it. The middle part is engraved with animal face patterns: double long eyebrows, oval eyes, and an animal nose and huge mouth represented by hook-cloud patterns. Below the animal face are four thick negative lines. The back is plain and undecorated, and is mottled in light brown. There is a hole at the bottom of the jade gui for hanging accessories or pendant ropes.
