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Six Niuzhong Bells

China

Western Han dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE)

Not on view

Bronze chime bells played a key role in ritual music from the Zhou (ca. 1046–256 B.C.) to the Han dynasty. Hung on an ornamented stand in graduated order of size, these clapperless bells were sounded with a mallet. The shape of the bells enabled two distinct tones, produced by striking either the center or the sides of the face. Generally, larger bells emitted a sound of higher volume but lower pitch. These six chime bells were excavated only recently from the extravagant tomb of the marquis of Haihun.

Six Niuzhong Bells, Bronze inlaid with gold and silver, China

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Six Niuzhong Bells, Bronze inlaid with gold and silver, China
Six Niuzhong Bells, Bronze inlaid with gold and silver, China
Six Niuzhong Bells, Bronze inlaid with gold and silver, China
Six Niuzhong Bells, Bronze inlaid with gold and silver, China
Six Niuzhong Bells, Bronze inlaid with gold and silver, China
Six Niuzhong Bells, Bronze inlaid with gold and silver, China
Six Niuzhong Bells, Bronze inlaid with gold and silver, China
Six Niuzhong Bells, Bronze inlaid with gold and silver, China
Six Niuzhong Bells, Bronze inlaid with gold and silver, China

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