A LARGE ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL BELL, YONGZHONG WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY

the body of elliptical section and barrel form with the two sides rising up in an arc, each side set with three rows of three bosses, evenly distributed and placed in the upper quadrants on both sides and divided by bands of smaller bosses separated by disintegrated zoomorphic scrolls in a fine line relief, the flat top decorated with a similar zoomorphic scroll in a sunken relief and surmounted by a long tapering collared tubular shank with a lug for suspension, the surface covered overall with light malachite and azurite encrustation

Collection of Paul E. Manheim (1906-99).
Sotheby's New York, 16th September 2009, lot 101 (part lot).

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1968-2009, on loan.

The bell is in overall good condition. The suspension loop attached to the handle is bent to one side and one of the bosses is slightly bent. The bell is covered on the exterior and interior with a evenly light green patina. There is some iron encrustation to one side.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This form of bronze bell with a shank and a lug, or yongzhong, was one of the most important musical instruments of the Zhou dynasty (c.1050-221 BC). Instead of being suspended vertically like a bozhong, a yongzhong was made to be hung at an angle. Large percussion sets, comprising yongzhong and other bells, were played during rituals and banquets of the aristocracy. According to Zhouli [The Rites of Zhou], from the Eastern Zhou, only kings, marquises and other selected aristocratic groups were entitled to possess such bronze bells, which in turn symbolised social status and became favourable gifts among the aristocratic class. It is believed that these bells were made only with refined material on an auspicious day and their completion was celebrated with receptions where guests could enjoy the tunes and the original golden sheen of the newly cast bells; see Feng Guangsheng, ‘Chime-bells. Musical Instruments’, Artistic Style of Cultural Relics from the Tomb of Zenghouyi, Wuhan, 1991, p. 158 (English summery, pp. 202-204).

Compare two slightly shorter excavated yongzhong (43 and 39.8 cm) – one with only rows of bosses and the other detailed with scrolls between the bosses – both from the early Western Zhou dynasty and included in Shaanxi chutu Shang Zhou qingtongqi/Bronzes of Shang and Zhou Dynasties Unearthed in Shaanxi Province, Beijing, vol. 3, nos 96-97, together with a large inscribed example (76.5 cm), made by Shi Cheng for rituals in memory of his ancestors, no. 107.