Bronze ding reveals Chu culture from more than 2,000 years ago

The Ding Tripod of Wang Ziwu is a bronze food container and sacrificial vessel dating back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).

The 49-centimeter-high and 58.3-centimeter-wide vessel has a narrow waist and three hoof-shaped feet. Six dragon-shaped beasts, cast by the lost-wax method, cling to its surface, which is decorated with reliefs of three groups of patterns. An 83-character inscription can be seen on its inner wall.

As a representative Chu-style ding, the vessel is valuable for studying Chu State culture. Unearthed from the Xichuan Xiasi tomb in Nanyang city, Henan province, in 1978, the Ding of Wang Ziwu is a permanent treasure of the Henan Museum.