Object Details
Description
Bell of the type chung [chn] decorated with casting in relief. Finial of two winged dragons. Pale green patination with granular incrustations. The type of bell is a "bo zhong."
Label
The elaborate décor of this bell--winged creatures form its suspension loop and coiled serpents serve as bosses (raised decorations)--underscores the exalted status of bronze bells, which were a luxury restricted to China's early rulers and elite. Most bells belonged to tuned sets of bell-chimes, an instrument invented in China. They were suspended from a rack and struck by a mallet. When this object was cast, bell music was no longer purely ritual in purpose but was also considered entertainment in feudal courts. Owning a set of bells was thought to bring great happiness to a family.
Provenance
From 1939 to 1941
C. T. Loo & Company, New York from at least March 1939 [1]
From 1941
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from C. T. Loo & Company on September 29, 1941 [2]
Notes:
[1] See C. T. Loo's stockcard no. 81926a: "Bell (chung) Bottom decorated by a panel of turning dragons pattern. Large bosses formed by coiled snakes separated by registers of intertwined dragons motives. Handle formed by 2 birds, swallowing the tail with spreaded wings over an intertwined snakes pattern. Rough green patina. Late Chou," C. T. Loo & Frank Caro Archive, Musée Guimet, Paris, copy in object file. The object was sent to the Freer Gallery for examination on May 2, 1939.
[2] See C. T. Loo's invoice, dated September 29, 1941, copy in object file.
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History
Resound: Ancient Bells of China (October 14, 2017 - July 5, 2021)
Virtue and Entertainment: Chinese Music in the Visual Arts (October 1, 2005 to May 29, 2006)
Music in the Age of Confucius (April 30 to September 17, 2000)
Chinese Art (February 18, 1983 to April 1, 1987)
Chinese Art (March 15, 1982 to June 15, 1982)
Untitled Exhibition, South Corridor (March 6, 1981 to May 7, 1984)
Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)
Chinese Bronze, Jade, Metalwork (March 1, 1957 to January 1, 1963)
Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1955 (August 26, 1955 to October 25, 1955)
Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1946 (May 7, 1946 to February 25, 1956)
Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1944 (November 15, 1944 to May 6, 1946)
Previous custodian or owner
C. T. Loo & Company (1914-1948)
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Date
ca. 500--450 BCE
Period
Eastern Zhou dynasty, late Spring and Autumn period
Accession Number
F1941.9
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Musical Instrument
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H x W: 66.4 x 47 cm (26 1/8 x 18 1/2 in)
Weight: 62 kg (136.7 lb)
Origin
Houma foundry, Shanxi province, China
Related Online Resources
Google Arts & Culture
See more items in
National Museum of Asian Art
Data Source
National Museum of Asian Art
Topic
casting
metal
bronze
bird
dragon
Eastern Zhou dynasty (770 - 221 BCE)
Spring and Autumn period (770 - 476 BCE)
China
Chinese Art
Link to Original Record
Record ID
fsg_F1941.9
