Beyond the WallsBronze Bells

Play It! Chinese Bronze Bells

Make your own music in the style of ancient Chinese musicians.

For thousands of years music has been an important part of Chinese culture, including religious and public ceremonies, scholarly pursuits, and entertainment. One or a group of bronze bells were designed to be suspended on a wooden frame. Striking each bell with a wooden mallet, ancient musicians played the bells from a sitting or kneeling position.

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Learn! Chinese Bronze Bells

ancient bronze bell rotating

Bell (Niu zhong), 6th Century BC Chinese, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (771-256 BC) Bronze H.12 1/2, W. 9 1/8 x 7 1/2 in. Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 57.45.10

Niu zhong

Cast nearly three thousand years ago, this bronze bell in the VMFA collection, known as Niu zhong, was likely once part of larger set of bells.

It would have been hung in an arrangement with other bells of various sizes from a wooden tiered rack and played by striking the outside with a wooden mallet.

Learn! Chinese Bronze Bells

Segment of chinese bronze bell
Segment of chinese bronze bell
Segment of chinese bronze bell
Segment of chinese bronze bell

Credit: Reproduction set from the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

How are the musical tones produced?

With varying inner diameter, heights and wall thickness, the bells produce distinct musical notes. When struck along the rim or the striking spot, the bells emit rhythmic tones.

Try it!

Touch the bell in the center and the side to hear two different sounds.

Learn! Chinese Bronze Bells

ancient bronze casting diagram diagram of metal poured into bronze casting diagram of finished bronze casting

How were they made?

Creating bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, requires a specialized workforce of miners, craftsmen, and metallurgists. Metal objects from the Bronze Age in China were created by using molds that are formed around poured wax models (lost-wax process).

A - Bronze makers would first carve designs into the sections of the outer mold.

B - The outer molds were then assembled around the inner mold to form one unit.

C - The space between the inner and outer molds was then filled with molten metal.

D - When the process was complete, the molds were removed to reveal the finished vessel.

Listen! Chinese Bronze Bells

Bells (Bianzhong) of Marquis Yi of Zeng

Bells (Bianzhong) of Marquis Yi of Zeng,
433 BC, Chinese, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (771-256 BC)
Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan, China
Photo care of Vladimir Menkov

Where are they from?

The most famous complete set of bronze bells excavated in China are those found buried in the tomb of Marquis Yi. The Marquis, who oversaw the state of Zeng, was buried with a bianzhong of sixty four bronze bells.

Ancient Chinese burials included objects to take with the deceased in the afterlife. Royalty and high-ranking officials had very elaborate tombs which contained precious objects, jades, bronzes, weapons and musical instruments.

This set of bells has been recast and played at the Hubei Provincial Museum.

Listen! Chinese Bronze Bells

Imperial Bells of China CD Cover

Credit: "Heroic Air of Chu" from The Imperial Bells of China. Courtesy of Fortuna Records/Celestial Harmonies.

How do they sound?

Hear the Hubei Song and Dance Ensemble perform a composition inspired by the traditional folk music of Hubei Province.

The bronze bells being played are reproductions of the ancient instruments found in the Marquis Yi's tomb.

Listen!

Watch! Chinese Bronze Bells

Watch this video of the bronze bells being played at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, China. Video courtesy of Robert Yanal.

Play It! Chinese Bronze Bells

Make your own music by striking a set of reproduction bells from the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.

Chinese Ritual Zhong Bells

Credit: Reproduction set from the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Play It! Chinese Bronze Bells

Zhong  were cast to produce two distinct tuned tones.
Touch each bell in the center and the side to hear two different sounds.

Credit: Reproduction set from the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery