TRIPODE ‘DING’ VESSEL FOR MEAT OFFERINGS

Description Lidded tripods experienced great development from the 8th century BCE, perhaps due to the evolution of rites and a change in the nature of meat offerings. Closed, the vessel had to have a globular shape. The body is pot-bellied, and the grooved edge allowing the lid to fit together is very pronounced. The two large vertical loops are connected to the shoulders of the container precisely to allow it to close. The feet are massive and flared outwards towards the base. The upper part of each consists of a crested zoomorphic head, perhaps a dragon, from whose jaws the rest of the foot springs. The decoration on the body of the ding is limited to a band of absolutely asymmetrical geometric volute motifs.