Ritual bell

China, c. 500–400 BC, bronze

This bell once formed part of a large set attached to a wooden frame by their dragon handles. Two separate tones could be produced by striking the bell in two different places – in the middle and at an angle on the side. The knobs are decorated with a beast restraining a bird. The meaning of this motif is not clear.

Artwork typeritual object, jingle, percussion instrument, musical instrument, bell (idiophone)
Object numberAK-MAK-9
Dimensionsheight 58.5 cm x width 42 cm x diameter 34.5 cm x weight 44 kg

Identification

Object type
Object number
AK-MAK-9
Catalogue reference
K. Chang and X. Pingfang, The Formation of Chinese Civilization : An Archaeological Perspective, new Haven 2005, p. 241-245.

Creation

Creation
brazier: anoniem, China
Dating
after -482
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School / Style

Material and technique

Material
Technique
Dimensions
height 58.5 cm x width 42 cm x diameter 34.5 cm x weight 44 kg

This work is about

Subject

Acquisition and rights

Credit line
On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (purchase Edgar Worch, with the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt, Berlin, 1930)
Copyright
Public domain
Provenance
…; from the dealer Edgar Worch, Berlin, fl. 65,000, to the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, with support from the Vereniging Rembrandt, 1930;{Note RMA} from whom on loan to the museum, 1972

Documentation

- K. Chang and X. Pingfang, The Formation of Chinese Civilization : An Archaeological Perspective, new Haven 2005, p. 241-245.
- W. Percival Yetts, The Cull Chinese bronzes, 1939.
- Jan van Campen, 'Ontwikkelingen van een museum voor Aziatische kunst', Simulacrum : Tijdschrift voor kunst en cultuur 18 (2010) nr. 2/3, p. 36, afb. 2.
- Wai-kam Ho, 'Shang and Chou bronzes', The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Sept. 1964, p. 174-187, fig. 12.

Persistent URL

To refer to this object, please use the following persistent URL:
https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200106295