Food Vessel with Cicada Design (Ning Ding) (Translation)
宁鼎 商晚期 (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
These bronze vessels, which were found in tombs, exhibit the basic prototypes of bronzes used to serve wine or food during ritual ceremonies. The number of bronzes would vary depending on the status of the tomb owner. Cast on the body of this ding are various decorations that range from animal masks, known as taotie, to fireballs and cicadas.
Shang dynasty (1600 - 1045 BC)
宁 Ning (clan name of the maker)
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
殷周金文集成 Yin Zhou jinwen jicheng (The collection of bronze inscriptions in Shang and Zhou dynasties). Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1984-1994. No. 1166
January 21 – February 21, 1975, Bayly Art Museum – University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
