Bell (Chunyu)
Bronze bells with this peculiar shape, known as chunyu, originated in regions along the Yangzi River from Sichuan to Zhejiang, and extending as far as south as Guangxi. They range in date across the entire Eastern Zhou era and into the early Han dynasty. Their exact function is still being investigated; many speculate that they were used for sending military signals rather than for playing music.
Artwork Details
- 戰國至漢 青銅淳于
- Title: Bell (Chunyu)
- Period: Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (475–221 BCE) to Western Han dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE)
- Date: 3rd–2nd century BCE
- Culture: China
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: H. 20 in. (50.8 cm); W. 12 in. (30.5 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: Gift of Grace and Morton Gordon, in honor of Dr. Wen Fong, 1983
- Object Number: 1983.140
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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5th century BCE
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3rd–2nd century BCE
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