1991.260: Ritual Bell (Niu zhong) with Interlaced Dragon Decor
Ritual ImplementsThe base of the shape is a concave curve, and the top features a tall handle which is a rounded rectangular handle. A panel which fills most of the surface includes complex curving and geometric decorations which resemble a maze, below which there is a crescent moon with ends which come around to form a circle. The surface seems either damged or coated in buildup which obscures some of the details.
Identification and Creation
- Object Number
- 1991.260
- Title
- Ritual Bell (Niu zhong) with Interlaced Dragon Decor
- Other Titles
- Alternate Title: niu chung
- Classification
- Ritual Implements
- Work Type
- bell
- Date
- 7th-6th century BCE
- Places
- Creation Place: East Asia, China, Shandong province
- Period
- Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period, 770-476 BCE
- Culture
- Chinese
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/201471
Physical Descriptions
- Medium
- Cast bronze. Probably from Shandong province.
- Dimensions
- 16.7 x 11.1 cm (6 9/16 x 4 3/8 in.)
Provenance
- Recorded Ownership History
- Ralph C. Marcove, M.D., New York purchased from Sotheby's, New York.
Acquisition and Rights
- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Ralph C. Marcove, M.D.
- Accession Year
- 1991
- Object Number
- 1991.260
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
- Permissions
-
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Verification Level
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