Late Spring and Autumn Period

Height 67cm, Mouth diameter 66cm

Unearthed in 1978 from Zhechuanxian, Henan Province

National Museum of China

"Cauldron of Wang Ziwu", also called "Wang Ziwu Ding 王子午鼎", was a ceremonial vessel from the royal family of Chu in the late Spring and Autumn period. When excavated, there were altogether seven pieces of the same shape but different sizes, and this one stored in the National Museum of China is the largest of them.

The owner of the cauldron of Wang Ziwu is Wang Ziwu, the son of King Zhuang of Chu State, who was quite successful in warfares. This cauldron has a lid, three legs and six hollowed-out monsters around it. The overall shape of this cauldron was improved from the style of Shang and Zhou bronze vessels, becoming softer and more beautiful. And it was cast by using the advanced welding technique and lost-wax casting technique at that time. Inside the cauldron of Wang Ziwu, the inscription is in the magnificent bird-worm seal script, niao zhuan ti 鸟篆体, which originated from the Spring and Autumn Period and was popular especially in State of Chu, Wu, Yue and Cai. In fact, bird-worm seal script was usually used in short inscriptions on weapons, but there are 88 characters altogether on this vessel, which is extremely rare with high artistic and research value.

The cauldron, which refers to Ding 鼎, is one of the most important bronze vessels in ancient times. It originally was used by ancient people to cook and store meat, but due to its exquisite appearance, Ding began to be used for cooking and placing animals that were sacrificed to the gods, serving as an important sacrificial vessel. From Ding, people can feel the ancient societies' reverence for gods and deities, and this ritual vessel exactly became the bridge or link between people and gods.