Period: The Mid-Yangshou Culture, Neolithic Age (4,000--35,00 BCE)
Measurements:
The cauldron: 9.6 cm in mouth diameter, 8.4 cm in height; stove: 12 cm in mouth diameter, 40 cm in height.
Provenance: Unearthed in the northwest of the Xipo village, Yangping township, Lingbao, Henan province, 2005

The stove, along with the cauldron, was unearthed from the massive grave M8 of the M8 Xipo site. The cauldron features an everted and broad rim, which can also serve as the handle. The ridge between the neck and body strengthens the stability of the cauldron when sitting on the stove. The stove, raised on three legs, features a contracting mouth, a bulging shoulders, a rectangular wood entrance, a flat base, and three studs to support the cauldron.

The Xipo site currently covers some 400,000 square meters. It is typical for Mid-Yangshao Culture to consists of residential areas, oversized building sites, and massive cemeteries. 34 burials were excavated, among which 15 were discovered with burial potteries, including the sets of terracotta cauldron and stove, Gui-shaped vessels, ewers, bowls, urns, etc. 99 pieces were unearthed in total, including 11 sets of cauldrons and stoves.

The sets of cauldron and stove are normally unearthed at the tombs of middle and high ranked nobles. At that time, fire was more efficiently used than before, and pursual of cuisine by the social elites was exemplified by the objects used, which acted not only as normal cooking utensils, but also as symbols of social status.