Please complete the form to email this item.

Tripod

Tripod

  • Place of origin:

    China (made)

  • Date:

    1300 BC-1100 BC (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Cast bronze

  • Museum number:

    M.60-1953

  • Gallery location:

    China, room 44, case 2

  • Download image

This kind of bronze vessel, called in Chinese li ding, was used for rituals celebrating the ancestors during the Shang dynasty (1700-1050 BC), and was often buried in graves. The surface of this example is decorated with three taotie (zoomorphic masks) and a band of cicada set against a background of spirals.

Physical description

Three-lobed bronze vessel (ding) with two vertical loop handles on the rim and three cylindrical feet. The surface of each lobe is decorated with a taotie (zoomorphic mask) with large horns and slightly protruding eyes, four cicada and a pattern of spirals as background.

Place of Origin

China (made)

Date

1300 BC-1100 BC (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Cast bronze

Dimensions

Height: 19 cm

Labels and date

Tripod for food (ding)
Shang dynasty
1300-1100 BC

In ancient times the Chinese nobility ate out of bronze vessels. Each vessel has a specific name, this one is called a ding.

Cast bronze
Museum no. M.60-1953 [2007]

Materials

Bronze

Techniques

Casting

Subjects depicted

Spirals

Categories

Metalwork; Archaeology; Ceremonial objects; Death

Collection code

EAS

Download image
Qr_O12656
Ajax-loader