Ritual bell with archaistic design, note guxi
In 1761, the Qianlong emperor ordered the casting of twelve-piece sets of gilt bronze bells based on recently discovered ancient bells from Jiangxi. Whereas the sixteen-bell chime sets were played together, each bell in the new set was played on its own, only during its corresponding month, such as the one here for the third lunar month. It would be struck once to announce the start of movements of the state ritual music Melody of Harmony.
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