The base is inscribed in archaic script with Boshen Zuo Baoyi, 'Boshen made this precious yi'. Yi may be translated as a cup or libation vessel. It is interesting to note that not only the form and decoration were copied in reverence to archaism but the inscription had been taken directly from characters inscribed on late Shang/early Zhou dynasty vessels. The name Boshen appears to be unrecorded.