History in bite-sized morsels

Eagle-Shaped Pottery Ding

Collection: National Museum of China

Period: Neolithic era

Pottery is the art of bringing clay to life. Thrown, kneaded, fired …Through a series of hardships, the clay is reborn as pottery, reincarnated in every manner of shape. Here, the clay is given life as a ding－a three-legged vessel.

This ding in the form of an eagle is among China's most unusual pieces of ancient pottery. It's 6,000 years old, originating in the Neolithic Yangshao Culture.

Most of the painted pottery vessels produced by the Yangshao Culture were for daily use. The eagle-shaped ding is the only piece from that period that's in the shape of a bird.

What was its purpose? Perhaps to store water, or grain? Or perhaps it was used in sacrificial rites? But why was it given the form of a bird? Such questions add to the fascination the ding evokes.

What it does tell us is that 6,000 years ago Chinese people were capable of integrating practicality and design into their utensils.