round body on tall tripod legs with flat feet; pair of U-shaped handles; domed cover with three decorative scrolls; copper-colored, red and green mottled patina

Ding food vessel, 3rd century BCE

Unknown artist, expand_more

Bronzeexpand_more

Bequest of Harry Drakeexpand_more  2013.9.7a,b

The food cauldron, known as a ding, was the most prominent type of ritual vessel during China’s Bronze Age. It was used to cook, hold, and season meat during ceremonies devoted to ancestral spirits. The vertical handles allowed the vessel to be lowered and removed from an open fire. As part of the funerary practices, such bronze ding were buried with the deceased. The number of ding constituting a set depended on the status of the tomb occupant. Rulers were supposed to be buried with nine ding.

With its spherical lidded body, three small legs, and prominent handles, this ding is of a simple and elegant type that was produced during the late Warring States period (475–221 BCE) and the succeeding Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE). It contrasts sharply with the more highly decorated and architectonic ding vessels made previously.

Details
Title
Ding food vessel
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2013.9.7a,b
Curator Approved

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round body on tall tripod legs with flat feet; pair of U-shaped handles; domed cover with three decorative scrolls; copper-colored, red and green mottled patina