Some upturned vessel (3)
I believe the answer is:
urn
'vessel' is the definition.
(urn is a kind of vessel)
'some upturned' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'URN' is hidden in the letters of 'upturned'.
(Other definitions for urn that I've seen before include "Large ornamental vase" , "Without cost; last word of Tempest" , "Run to get Greek vase" , "Run to get large jar" , "Vase; tea vessel" .)