An archaic bronze gold and silver-inlaid bell, Bo, Warring States period | 戰國 青銅錯金銀鎛

A French private collection in Cannes, since ca. 1990.

Galerie 41, Monaco, 15th February 2010.

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法國私人收藏，戛納，約1990年

Galerie 41，摩納哥，2010年2月15日

The present archaic bronze bell is significant because of its intricate gold and silver inlay design. The inlay technique, which involves setting wire of precious metals such as gold, silver, or copper into prepared channels appeared at the end of the Spring and Autumn period and became widespread during the Warring States period. The present bell is classified as a 'bo' type (bo zhong), which is distinguished by its level rim. It would have been part of a chime set that produced music during rituals; for the significance and use of such ancient ritual bells see acoustical and musical studies conducted on bells from the Arthur M. Sackler Collection, published in Lothar von Falkenhausen and Thomas Rossing, 'Acoustical and Musical Studies on Sackler Bells' in Jenny So ed., Eastern Zhou Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, vol. III, New York, 1993, Appendix 2, pp. 431-484.

Compare two related yong zhong examples, one excavated from the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang (r. 221-210 BC) illustrated in Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji, Qin Han [Complete collection of Chinese archaic bronzes, Qin, Han], vol. 12, Beijing, 1998, pl. 24; the other illustrated in Inlaid Bronze and Related Material from Pre-Tang China, Eskenazi, London, 1991, pl. 3; compare also a related gold-inlaid bell (yong zhong) attributed to the Qin period, sold in our New York rooms, 21st September 2006, lot 159.