Ding cauldron of Duke Mao
Bronzeware
Western Zhou
Overall Height 53.8cm Body Depth 27.2cm Diameter 47.0cm
The form of this vessel is plain, regular, and thick. This vessel, which is hemispherical in shape, stands on three hooflike legs, and its rim has two wide and thick handles. The body of this vessel is smooth and unadorned, with only the area under the rim decorated with a simple pattern of concentric rings and a raised pattern. On the inside of the Vessel is a 500 word inscription, the longest known bronze inscription to date. The inscription, which is written in a classical and profound style, expresses the high expectations of King Xuan (of Zhou) for Duke Mao. Its format is similar to Charge to the Marquess Wen ( (文侯之命) in the Book of Documents (尚書). Furthemore, beyond providiing evidence of the administration and institutions of the Western Zhou, it also provides historical evidence for King Xuan's restoration and for Duke Mao, who is otherwise unattested in historical sources
毛公鼎。國立故宮博物院，台北，CC BY 4.0 @ www.npm.gov.tw
https://digitalarchive.npm.gov.tw/Collection/Detail/1438?dep=U
毛公鼎
銅器
西周晚期
通高53.8公分 腹深27.2公分 口徑47.0公分
本器器形簡樸，端正厚實。半球形的器身立於三蹄足之上，口沿上有兩個寬厚的立耳。全器器身光素，僅於口沿下方飾以一周精簡的重環紋及一道凸弦紋。器內有銘文五百字，為迄今所知最長的青銅器銘文。內容以古雅精奧的文風表達了宣王對毛公的殷切期待，體例與《尚書‧文侯之命》相似，除印證西周時期的行政及典章制度，也為西周「宣王中興」及不見於文獻記載的毛公，提供了詳實的史料。
毛公鼎。國立故宮博物院，台北，CC BY 4.0 @ www.npm.gov.tw
https://digitalarchive.npm.gov.tw/Collection/Detail/1438?dep=U