Bell (Zheng)

China

Not on view

In ancient China the Zheng bell is used to send signals in military operations. In contrast to the tall, slender bodies and long stems of most known examples, the present bell has a short, broad body and short stem, which, however, has an Eastern Zhou ceramic counterpart found in Ningbo, now housed in the Ningbo Museum. Its hollow stem still bears traces of a wood handle. The anachronistic early Zhou style inscription on the bell interior appears to have been added in recent times.

Bell (Zheng), Bronze, China

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