Zhong chime bell of Zhe Jian, late Spring and Autumn period, c.6th-5th century BCE-China Archive

Image Number:C1A000049N000000000PAE
Dynamy:Spring and Autumn period
Category:Bronzes
Function:Ritual vessels, musical instruments
Material:Mineral/metal/bronze
Description:
Yongzhong, Pieces are long tapered. The upper part of the hall is decorated with cicada patterns and coiled cobra patterns, and the dance part and the seal character are decorated with coiled cobra patterns. The drum part is interlaced and coiled by the coiled dragon patterns. Three dragon heads are stretched on the left and right sides respectively. The decorative patterns of the drum part on the front are partially embossed. The inscription is located between Luan and Zheng, with 72 characters. There are also four characters of Chongwen and one character of Hewen, totaling 77 characters. The inscription is as follows: “At the beginning of the first month, when the golden year of Ding Hai was auspicious, the son of the worker □ Wang Pi □ reduced his lucky gold. He made his own bell, which was not white, which was not loud, which was not comprehensive. He cooperated with me to pray for the longevity of the eyebrows, which was low, which was low, which was low, which was low, which was low, which was low, which was low, which was low, which was low, which was low, which was high.” According to the second sentence of the inscription, the owner “Zhejian” is the son of King “Pi □” of Wu in the late Spring and Autumn Period, and their names are in the form of phonetic notation