Pictorial Compendium of the Three Talents: Implements and Tools, Volume 1


Tripod Cauldron	Warming Ladle Scoop	Mixing Vessel	Hollow-legged Cauldron	Steamer Vessel	Stemmed Dish	Rectangular Grain Vessel	Cup	Ritual Horn-Cup
Water Pourer Ewer	Vase-Bottle	Box-Container	Incense Burner	Refined Metal Vessel	Flat Offering Platter	Round Grain Vessel	Covered Food Vessel	Ritual Horn

This table serves as a visual directory for the first volume of the "Implements and Tools" section. These vessels are largely Ritual Bronzes, which were essential components of ancestral worship and state ceremonies during the Shang and Zhou dynasties (c. 1600–256 BCE). By the Ming Dynasty, when this compendium was created, these items were highly prized by collectors and scholars as symbols of ancient wisdom and "The Way of the Ancients."

The following terms represent the foundational categories of ancient utensils:

Tripod Cauldron original: "Ding" (鼎). The most significant ritual vessel, symbolizing authority and the state. It usually has two handles and three legs.
Warming Ladle original: "Qiao-dou" (譙斗). A vessel with a handle used for warming liquids or as a measuring scoop.
Mixing Vessel original: "He" (盉). Used to mix water with wine to adjust the strength of the offering.
Hollow-legged Cauldron original: "Li" (鬲). A cooking vessel distinguished by its three "bag-like" legs, which allowed heat to reach the food more efficiently.
Steamer Vessel original: "Yan" (甗). A two-part vessel; the bottom holds water, and the top has a perforated base to steam grain or meat.
Stemmed Dish original: "Dou" (豆). A high-stemmed platter used for serving side dishes or condiments during sacrifices.
Rectangular Grain Vessel original: "Fu" (簠). A dish used specifically for holding boiled grains like millet or rice.
Cup and Ritual Horn-Cup original: "Bei" (杯) and "Xie" (解). Standard and ceremonial drinking vessels; the latter often made from or shaped like a horn.
Water Pourer original: "Shui-yi" (水匜). A pitcher used for the ritual washing of hands before and after ceremonies.
Vase-Bottle original: "Ping" (甁). A tall, narrow container for liquids.
Incense Burner original: "Lu" (鑪). Essential for creating the fragrant smoke that was believed to carry prayers to the ancestors.
Round Grain Vessel original: "Gui" (簋). A circular container with handles used to hold cooked grains, paired with the rectangular "Fu" vessel to represent the cosmology of "Square Earth and Round Heaven."
Covered Food Vessel original: "Dui" (敦). A spherical vessel with a lid that often mirrors the shape of the bowl itself.