Mao Gong ding
| Mao Gong ding | |
|---|---|
| Material | Bronze |
| Height | 53.8 cm (21.2 in) |
| Width | 47.9 cm (18.9 in) |
| Created | c. 805 BCE |
| Discovered | 1843 Shaanxi, China |
| Present location | Taipei, Taiwan |
The Mao Gong ding (Chinese: 毛公鼎; pinyin: Máogōng dǐng; lit. 'Lord Mao's cauldron') is a bronze tripod ding vessel from the Western Zhou dynasty (c. 1045 – c. 771 BCE). After the retreat of the government of the Republic of China to Taiwan, it is currently located at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, where it is known as one of the museum's "three treasures", alongside the Jadeite Cabbage and Meat–Shaped Stone. The vessel has an inscription of 500 characters arranged in 32 lines, the longest inscription among the ancient Chinese bronze inscriptions. The ding dates from the reign of King Xuan of Zhou, and was presented to him by the Lord Yin of Mao.