An Early Zhou Bell

Sets of multiple bronze bells known as biānzhōng 編鐘 were among the most important types of ritual objects used in court ceremonies during the Zhou Dynasty (ca. 1046–256 BC). This rubbing records the appearance of one of a famous set of bells known as the Bells of Liáng Qí (Liáng Qí Zhong 梁其鐘), after the early Zhou official named Liáng Qí who commissioned them.

In the center and lower left sections of the bell is a text in seal script, noting that the bell set was cast to commemo-rate an appointment Liáng received from the king. The text eulogizes the achievements and virtues of the Liáng family’s imperial ancestor, as well as telling of Liáng Qí’s loyalty to the current king.

Due to the particular acoustic properties of the bell shape, accentuated by the raised bosses on the surface, such bells were able to make different musical tones when struck on the front or corner of the bell. At the bottom of the bell is a pair of images of luán 鸾 / 鸞, legendary creatures who were represented with a combination of dragon and bird motifs. Not only a decoration, this pair of luán also indicates the proper place to strike the bell in order to produce one of the two different tones.