Duling Square Ding Cauldron No. 2

 

photo/ Henan Museum 

Duling Square Ding Cauldrons are not only ritual vessels of the Early Shang Dynasty,but also the bronze civilization monument of China and even the world.Duling Square Ding Cauldron No.1 is the oldest,largest,best casted and preserved bronze ware in China that can be recognized by humans at present so far.

There are two pieces of Duling square ding:the No.1 ding is larger and the No.2 ding is smaller."Dulling No.1"is now in the National Museum of China;"Dulling No.2"is collected by Henan Museum.

The belly of the square tripod is in the shape of a bucket,and there are two symmetrical arched ears on the edge of the mouth,just like the two handles of a pot,suggesting the practicality of the ware itself.The four legs of the supporting body are thick and cylindrical in shape.

Through the model and core adopted,it can be find that smelting and casting skills were advanced at that time.