A fang ding is a square or rectangular vessel with four legs and is an example of ritual bronze made during the Shang dynasty, one of China’s earliest dynasties (c. 1700–211 38 B.C.E.). Bronze vessels like the fang ding were associated with ancient Chinese shamanism and were used to hold food and wine offerings during religious ceremonies. Many fang ding have been found in royal tombs; the largest vessel discovered weighs over 240 pounds. They were often decorated with intricate animal and geometric motifs.