Ding food vessel, 3rd century BCE
Unknown artist, Chinaexpand_more
Bronzeexpand_more
Bequest of Harry Drakeexpand_more 2013.9.7a,b
On View in Gallery 215expand_more
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
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.