Everything you wanted to know about dings and were afraid to ask

EDITOR's Note: Every week we look at a work of art or a cultural relic that puts the spotlight on China's heritage.

Bronzeware is a significant symbol of Chinese civilization and the ding vessel "is arguably the most important genre of bronzework created by ancient Chinese, and a key factor in the evolution of Chinese civilization", says National Museum of China researcher Li Xiandeng.

A kind of cauldron with a lid, and loop handles, the ding vessel usually functions as a ritual implement to burn offerings before divination rituals.