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

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 4
IIIF

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At A Glance

  • Period

    ca. 1300-1200 BCE
  • Geography

    lower Yangzi River valley, China
  • Material

    Bronze
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 70 x 52 x 35 cm (27 9/16 x 20 1/2 x 13 3/4 in)
  • Accession Number

    S1999.120.1
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S1999.120.1

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

    There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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