fang-ding

Chinese vessel

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Last updated

June 26, 2026

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The fang-ding is a type of ancient Chinese vessel, characterized as a "square tripod" with a square or rectangular body supported by four legs. While the name suggests a tripod, it actually has four legs. These vessels, often decorated with taotie (monster masks), were made from pottery and bronze and were present throughout early Chinese history, including the Neolithic Period and the Shang and Zhou dynasties. The ding was used for cooking, holding food, in divinatory ceremonies for sacrificial offerings, or buried as spiritual utensils in tombs. The number of ding owned indicated a person's social rank.1

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2 Britannica Sources

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ding
…to the li), and the fang-ding, which, however illogical, is a “square tripod,” with a square or rectangular box resting on four legs. The characteristic decoration on these vessels—often large taotie, or monster masks—exploits the ample shape and surface of the bowl, although the legs generally have minimal ornamentation.
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…to the li), and the fang-ding, which, however illogical, is a “square tripod,” with a square or rectangular box resting on four legs. The characteristic decoration on these vessels—often large taotie, or monster masks—exploits the ample shape and surface of the bowl, although the legs generally have minimal ornamentation.
Read More