Hollow shaft bell (nao) with masks (taotie) and dragons

Object Details

• Provenance

  To 1970

  Alan Hartman, New York. [1]

  From 1970 to 1997

  Dr. Paul Singer (1904-1997), Summit, New Jersey, purchased from Alan Hartman, New York. [2]

  From 1997 to 1999

  In the custody of Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, DC [3]

  From 1999

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Paul Singer, the AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, and the Children of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler. [4]

  Notes:

  [1] See Curatorial Remark 5 in the object record. Dr. Paul Singer purchased this object from Alan Hartman of the Hartman Rare Art, Inc., New York in 1970.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art was in the custody of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington DC between 1997 and 1999.

  [4] See “The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art Gift Agreement” from March 1999, Collections Management Office.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings (February 25, 2023 to April 28, 2024)

  Resound: Ancient Bells of China (October 14, 2017 - July 5, 2021)

  Selections from the Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art (August 20, 1999 to January 15, 2001)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Alan Hartman

  Dr. Paul Singer (1904-1997)

  AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities (founded 1981)

  Arthur M. Sackler Foundation (founded 1965)

  Dr. Carol Master (born 1941)

  Arthur F. Sackler (born 1950)

  Dr. Elizabeth A. Sackler (born 1948)

  Denise Marika (born 1955)

• Origin

  lower Yangzi River valley, China

• Credit Line

  The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; a joint gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Paul Singer, the AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, and the Children of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Musical Instrument

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 1000s

• Name

  Singer, Paul, AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Master, Carol, Sackler, Arthur F., Marika, Denise, Hartman, Alan, Sackler, Elizabeth A.

• Place

  lower Yangzi River valley, China

• Topic

  Bronze, Art, The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Sculpture, Chinese Art, Shang dynasty (ca. 1600 - ca. 1050 BCE), Metal-work

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Musical instruments