‘JIAODOU’ TRIPODE

Description Small bronze vessel, used to heat liquids or prepare decoctions. This jiaodou consists of a cup with a slightly concave bottom and a very flared edge, the only decoration of which consists of three parallel and closely spaced lines engraved halfway down the belly. It rests on three long, thin, slightly curved outwards, hoof-shaped feet. The handles has a dragon's head, depicted in the round, at its end so that the handle consistutes the beast's neck. These characteristics make this jiaodou a typical specimen of the 3rd century CE. The black patina on the outside suggests that the vessel was indeed exposed to flames for a long time for cooking decoctions or other uses.