传说中大鼎有高三尺多的；最小有不逾四寸的。鼎的形制因时代而异。商代前期多圆腹尖足，也有柱足方鼎和扁足鼎。商代后期，圆腹柱足鼎占多数，西周后期，扁足鼎和方鼎基本消失，鼎足多呈蹄形。战国鼎多敛口，皆有盖，附耳，普通的鼎腹作西瓜形，足渐短小，盖上伏三犠，或作三环。秦汉鼎多敛口、硕腹、附耳、三短足、均有盖，盖上有三环。这时期未见有绝大的鼎，传世的大半约高一尺许。
It is said that the tripod is more than three feet high, and the smallest one is less than four inches. The shape of tripod varies with the times. In the early Shang Dynasty, there were many round bellied and pointed feet, as well as column foot square tripods and flat foot tripods. In the late Shang Dynasty, the round belly column tripod accounted for the majority. In the late Western Zhou Dynasty, the flat tripod and the square tripod basically disappeared, and the tripod was mostly hoof shaped. During the Warring States period, the tripods were mostly closed with covers and ears. The common tripods were shaped like watermelons on the belly, and their feet were becoming shorter and smaller. They were covered with three sacrifices or rings. In Qin and Han Dynasties, the tripod was mostly mouth closed, full bodied, ear attached, three short feet, covered with three rings. In this period, there was no great tripod. Most of the tripods passed down were about a foot high.
铜鼎雕塑是从陶制的三足鼎演变而来的，最初用来烹煮食物，后主要用于祭祀和宴享，是商周时期最重要的礼器之一。这件鼎为商代后期制品，至今器底仍保存有烟复。整体装饰繁杂、精细，圆润的鼎身配以圆涡纹、风鸟纹、蝉纹等纹样，造型和装饰协调自然，堪称商代铜鼎中的佳作。
The bronze tripod sculpture evolved from the pottery tripod. It was originally used to cook food, and later mainly used for sacrifice and banquet. It was one of the most important ritual vessels in the Shang and Zhou dynasties. This tripod is a late product of the Shang Dynasty. Up to now, the bottom of the tripod is still preserved with smoke. The overall decoration of the tripod is complex and fine. The round tripod body is matched with the patterns of circular vortex pattern, wind bird pattern, cicada pattern and so on. The shape and decoration are harmonious and natural, which can be called the best work in the bronze tripod of the Shang Dynasty.