Loop Suspension Bell (Niuzhong)
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period (770–481 B.C.), 8th/6th century B.C.
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
34.8 × 19.9 cm (13 3/4 × 7 13/16 in.)
Classification
bronze
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
9611
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Several types of chime bells were cast toward the end of China's Bronze Age and were probably played together in concert. Smallest among these were niuzhong, which had concave rims. Niuzhong were cast in graduated sizes, assembled as a set (often of nine), and suspended from a horizontal beam in order of size. Each bell was designed to emit two distinct tones: one from striking the center of the lower panel, another from striking either corner. The mask centered on the striking panel of this bel...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...