Ancient Chinese Art
Wangsun Yizbe Yongzbong Bell, Bronze. Eastern Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period, 771-475 BCE. Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
Music was another important aspect of Chinese culture. The ancient Chinese felt that universal harmony was linked to mathematical relationships. The nine bosses on each section of this bell are significant, because the number nine was cosmologically significant.
Most Bells were suspended from a cord and hung on an angle. They were struck, rather than having a clapper. Elliptical bells such as this produced two tones; one when struck on the lip near the outside, and the other struck near the center of the lip. The inscription on each bell indicated their pitch.