The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word PITCHER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
P
I
T
C
H
E
R
More clues leading to the result PITCHER
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "open-top vessel" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case open-top vessel = pitcher.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PITCHER mean?
PITCHER noun- One who pitches anything, as hay, quoits, a ball, etc.
- , the player who delivers the ball to the batter.
- The top partner in a homosexual relationship or penetrator in a sexual encounter between two men.
- A sort of crowbar for digging.
- A wide-mouthed, deep vessel for holding liquids, with a spout or protruding lip and a handle; a water jug or jar with a large ear or handle.
- A tubular or cuplike appendage or expansion of the leaves of certain plants. See pitcher plant.
- A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, by drawing, painting, printing, photography, etc.
- An image; a representation as in the imagination.
- A painting.
- A photograph.
- A motion picture.
- (in the plural) ("the pictures") Cinema (as a form of entertainment).
- A paragon, a perfect example or specimen (of a category).
- An attractive sight.
- The art of painting; representation by painting.
- A figure; a model.
- Situation.