[1][2] The most unique feature of the vessel is that each of its four sides are decorated with a dominant human face in high-relief, which is not found in any other ancient Chinese bronzeware.

[1][2] Around the faces are small symbolic decorations of horns and claws, indicating a half-human, half-animal nature of the figures.

[2] The Da He ding was unearthed in 1959 at Tanheli (now an archaeological park) in Huangcai Town, Ningxiang County, Hunan Province.

An employee from the Hunan Museum who was posted at the warehouse to rescue cultural relics, spotted a broken piece from the vessel.

He searched the warehouse for the remaining parts, eventually locating more than ten pieces, only missing one leg and the bottom.