Bronze with embossed decoration imitating taotie. Height 25.5 cms. Chinese ritual bronze sets are the most impressive objects from the Chinese Bronze Age. These vessels were probably deposited as grave goods in the tombs of royalty and nobility. There are documented excavations in which more than 200 items were found in a single tomb. According to some experts, the Chinese Bronze Age began with the Xia dynasty (circa 2070 - circa 1600 BC), reaching its peak during the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BC) and the beginning of the Zhou dynasty (1045-256 BC). "Dings" were one of the most important bronze items used in Chinese rituals.