A jia is a type of ritual bronze vessel

Chinese bronzes

Bronzes are some of the most important pieces of Chinese art, warranting an entire separate catalogue in the Imperial art collections. The Chinese Bronze Age began in the Xia Dynasty, and bronze ritual containers form the bulk of the collection of Chinese antiques, reaching its zenith during the...

 from ancient China. They were used to hold libation

Libation

A libation is a ritual pouring of a liquid as an offering to a god or spirit or in memory of those who have died. It was common in many religions of antiquity and continues to be offered in various cultures today....

s of wine at the tombs of ancestors

Ancestor Veneration in China

Ancestral veneration in Chinese culture is the practice of living family members who try to provide a deceased family member with continuous happiness and well-being in the afterlife. It is a way of continuing to show respect towards them, and it reinforces the unity of family and lineage. Showing...

. It is similar in design to a Jue

Jue (vessel)

A jue is a bronze tripod goblet or beaker used to serve or warm wine. It was used for ceremonial purposes by the Chinese of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. Often the jué had a handle, sometimes in the shape of a dragon. It also has two protuberances on the top of the vessel, which were...

but is larger and lacks the distinctive double lip in favor of a circular rim. It was usually made in the form of a tripod and included two protrusions on the rim that were probably used to suspend the vessel over heat.

External links

• jia in AAT-Taiwan