A black and white photo of a wide cylinder which is decorated and topped by two symmetrical creatures
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

Around the base of the cylinder is a horizontal row of complicated geometric and curling designs. Above this there is a central vertical panel running down the middle with patterns of small bumps, which is flanked by horizontal lines of large raised swirls which alternate with panels of small bump pattern decoration. The cylinder is topped by two symmetrical creatures with long curling bodies. They face each other and their scaled bodies curl away towards the edge of the cylinders, creating complex knots and tangling with what seems to be another pair of long scaled creatures which face away from the center.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1943.52.181
Title
Ritual Bell (Bo zhong) with Decoration of Interlaced Dragons, Coiled-Snake Bosses, and with Openwork Handle in the Form of Confronting Felines atop Snakes
Other Titles
Alternate Title: po chung
Classification
Ritual Implements
Work Type
bell
Date
6th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE
Places
Creation Place: East Asia, China
Period
Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period, 770-476 BCE
Culture
Chinese
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/204361

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Cast bronze
Dimensions
sight: 66.04 x 46.36 x 36.83 cm (26 x 18 1/4 x 14 1/2 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Grenville L. Winthrop
Accession Year
1943
Object Number
1943.52.181
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu