This three-legged bronze wine vessel or 'jia', splashed with gold was used for warming and serving up wine. Supported on three blade-like legs, the vessel features a dragon head handle and a pair of rectangular posts with conical caps, which were used to lift the vessel after it had stood in the fire to warm the wine.This wine drinking vessel (jia), together with the 'gu' beaker and another tripod vessel, the 'jue' formed a basic set for wine drinking during the Shang (C.1600-1027 BCE) and Zhou (c.1027-256 BCE) dynasties.
