An ancient hieroglyph of ding is found in oracle bone inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty from over 3,000 years ago.

This character evokes profound national memories: it is used to represent prominent figures, extravagant life, a tripartite balance of powers, one’s words carrying great weight.

In ancient China, offering sacrifices and strengthening armies were paramount state affairs. Ding, a meat-cooking sacrificial cauldron, became a symbol of state power.

This ding, the largest one outside those of the Shang capital, dates back to the late Shang Dynasty. It was unearthed in the Xiaobotaigou Village of Kazuo Mongolian Autonomous County, Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province.

It has upright handles, a deep belly, hollow cylindrical feet and a thin side. It is 86cm in height, 61cm in diameter, and over 50 kg in weight.

Single-layer beast mask patterns are carved beneath the ding’s mouth and on the feet. Ferocious and mysterious, the beast masks look proudly at the world. This expressive pattern, exemplifies the popular beast-mask design of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties.

In Kazuo, 59 bronze vessels were unearthed from 5 sites during 5 separate digs between 1955 and 1978. Accordingly, archaeologists named the collection of vessels as “Five Batches, Five Sites”.

Among these precious bronze vessels are other national treasures, such as “Yan Hou” Bronze Yu ( a food container) and Shuyin square ding.

“Yan Hou” Bronze Yu is one of the ten most precious treasures in the National Museum of China. Shuyin square ding, dating back to 3,200 years ago, is older than the Houmuwu square ding of Yin Ruins.

Almost all Kazuo’s bronze vessels have remarkable origins.

The origins of these bronze vessels remain a bone of contention among archaeologists in Liaoning. The proposed origins include the Guzhu State, the Jizi State, the capital of the Xia Dynasty, and the possible uses as sacrificial vessels.

Wang Mianhou and Feng Yongqian proposed the most remarkable hypothesis, that the ding was buried by the king of the Yan State as he fled attack eastwards.

According to historical records, the Qin State sought revenge for Jingke’s assassination attempt of Qin Shi Huang at the end of the Warring States Period. Xi, the last emperor of the Yan State, was defeated and fled northwards to Liaoning with numerous precious bronze ceremonial vessels collected over generations. Pressed by the urgent situation, he buried these precious national treasures hastily during his flight.

Xi’s escape route followed the ancient Dalinghe River road from China’s Central Plain to East Liaoning, with Kazuo being one important location along this ancient road.

Together with other bronze vessels from Kazuo, the bronze big round ding with beast-mask design reveals traces and clues of China’s history of war and peace.