Minneapolis Institute of Art

Li tripod

China

Date

13th-12th century BCE

Medium

Earthenware with cord markings

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Hand-built from common clay, this straightforward utilitarian cord marked tripod, like its Neolithic predecessors, was designed to expose a large surface to the cooking fire. At this early point in time, bronze ceremonial vessels were being influenced by Neolithic ceramic shapes such as this one. The situation would soon reverse itself, however, and by the late Bronze Age a majority of ceremonial ceramics were made in imitation of more expensive bronze vessels. China, Asia

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