Celadon Jiaodou Tripod Bowl

The jiaodou, or diaodou, was popular during the Han to Jin period (third century BCE to fifth century CE). It was usually on the hearth, with charcoal to keep it warm. During journeys it was carried as a heating vessel to warm food. It was commonly used on military expeditions. A Tang dynasty poem famously describes this vessel type: “The journeying people with tripod bowls (diaodou) in dark and windy weather”.