The Patchwork and Adjustment of the Bronze Ding-Tripod of the Chu Tombs in the Warring States Period

Abstract

The use of ding-tripod in Chu tombs was well established in the Warring States period and in most cases, it was strictly implemented. However, exceptions do exist. For example, in tomb of Marquis Yi of the Zeng state, archaeologists found two qiao-ding, which consists of two ding- tripods, one with a fitted lid and the other with a hooped lid. In the tomb No. 1 at Jiuliandun, a ding-tripod with a hooped lid was intentionally used and served as xu-ding. This paper attempts to understand burial rituals of the Chu state during the Warring State period by examining the tomb inventories (catalogues of funerary goods in the tombs) unearthed from the tomb No. 2 at Baoshan. It proposes that the use of ding-tripod in tombs was often adjusted according to the burial rituals.

Keywords

Chu tombs, use of ding, tomb of Marquis Yi of the Zeng state, tomb No. 1 at Jiuliandun, tomb No. 2 at Baoshan, tomb inventory

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