History os Asian Art: Lidded Vessel - Essay Example

The ding had been secularized hence its other purpose included cooking and serving foods and wine apart from the other ritual functions. Dings were mainly used in the households of rulers particularly the royal families. They were symbols of status within Chinese society and were also presented as gifts to foreign rulers. In the event of the death of the members of the monarchy, they would be buried with the vessels which were meant to be used in the other world in serving the spirits (A universal guide for China studies, n.p). The bronze lidded vessel (ding) is circular in shape.

It has two handles with each handle placed on either side of the vessel. Its three legs are attached separately at the base of the vessel. On the other hand, the lid is placed at the top (opening) of the vessel. There are statues of animals neatly curved on the lid-that is a lioness and a tiger. On its surface, it is decorated with drawings of dragons and it is interlaced patterns of spirals (AMICA n.p).