The Bronze Jian (utensil containing ice) is considered the earliest and most primitive green “refrigerator” ever found in the world by far. It is unearthed in 1977 from Zeng Hou Yi tomb in Sui County, Hubei province. It is a representative of the bronze vessels in the tomb as it gives a full expression of the novel, unique and delicate features of the bronze vessels in the tomb.

The four feet of the Bronze Jian are four dynamic and sturdy monsters with dragon head and beast body. The dragon heads thrust outwards while the beast bodies are in a position of crawling. It seems like the monsters are trying hard to support the whole weight of the Bronze Jian. The body of the Bronze Jian is square. There are altogether eight dragon ears in a hogged shape on four sides and at four corners. Each dragon tail is wounded by a small dragon and decorated with two five-petal flowers.

The Bronze Jian is an ingeniously-conceived vessel which shows a high degree of integration of practicability and artistry. It has a two-layer structure, and contains a jar inside. The combination of jian and jar is set to serve a special purpose. In summer, ice blocks between the jian and the jar can cool the wine in the jar; in winter, hot water in the belly of the jian can warm the wine in the jar quickly.