Wen Wu Shou Cang Jia

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POST WINGS

The "Three-Legged Ceramic Zhi" was made during the Xia Dynasty in China (approximately 2070-1600 BC) and is one of the significant representative artifacts of early Chinese bronze civilization and the embryonic stage of state systems. The Xia Dynasty, as the first dynasty in China where legendary accounts and archaeological evidence initially align, marks a historical turning point from prehistoric tribes to the development of a centralized state and the civilization of ritual and music.

This piece is entirely made of ceramic, shaped to resemble a "zhi" from bronze vessels: the upper part is an open, cup-like form with a single handle for easy holding and pouring; the lower part features three high legs, well-distributed for stability, allowing it to stand upright over a fire for warming or display during ritual ceremonies. The body is decorated with a simple yet powerful design, with a ring of ridge lines in the middle highlighting the division of curves, showcasing a plain yet solemn aesthetic of form. The three-legged design not only stems from Neolithic traditions but also provides a reference for the ceremonial bronze vessels of later generations.

The ceramic zhi was primarily used for holding wine and in rituals, making it an indispensable item in ceremonial culture and noble feasts, reflecting the hierarchical structure of Xia society, the concept of hereditary rule, and the preliminary formation of the ritual and music system. This three-legged ceramic zhi is not only a classic example of ceremonial artifacts of the Xia Dynasty but also an important testimony to the evolution of ritual systems and material civilization in China’s earliest dynasty.

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