Bronze ding (food container) with human-mask design

Bronze ding (food container) with human-mask design

Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 B.C.)
Dimensions: Height: 38.5 cm; Length: 29.8 cm; Width: 23.7cm

Excavated at Huangcai town, Ningxiang county, Hunan Province, China
This is the only Ding with the design of a human face ever found in China. With the color of dark green, the bronze is in the shape of a rectangle and its mouth is a bit larger than its bottom. This Ding has two handles on the top of its brim and four underlying legs. There are patterns of beasts on the upper part of each leg and one can find the four human face reliefs on its belly. Around the human faces are patterns of clouds and thunders. On each side of each forehead is a zigzagging small horn, and on every side of each cheek an animal paw. There is the inscription of two Chinese characters “da-he” inside its belly. Thus, it is also called “Da He Square Ding”.