China
Chinese

Enamel, bronze, ivory, jade
ca. 18th century
Height: 4.25 in
Idiophones – Struck Directly – Bells

An enameled bronze clapper bell (ling) with ivory handle from Peking, China.  Depicted on the bell in bronze is the ‘Temple of Heaven,’ a large religious complex in the old outer city of Beijing (Peking), considered the supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture.  Its layout symbolizes the belief that heaven is round and earth square.  The Circular Mound Altar (1530; rebuilt 1749) is triple-tiered as seen here.

Bells with clappers inside are called ling, while clapperless bells are known as zhong.  This ling has a jade ball attached to a chain inside as its clapper. Temple bells usually assume the form of chimes in China.