Bronze ‘hotpot’ from 3,000 years ago

What's your go-to comfort food on a chilly winter day? For people in the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC), it might have been something hot and hearty cooked in this lovely bronze ding (cooking vessel).

With a diameter of 16.4 centimeters, this ingenious artifact features a circular pot on top for scalding meat and vegetables, with a tray below to hold charcoal. Three ventilation holes on the tray keep the fire burning while serving as ash outlets.

Adorned with curling dragon motifs on its neck and supported by three bird-shaped legs, it is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Unearthed in 1992 from the tomb of the wife of Marquis Wu of Jin, it's now a treasure of Shanxi Museum.