China
Chinese

Bronze, wood, cotton
Mid 20th century
Diameter: 19.5 in
Idiophones – Struck Directly – Gongs

Of the five basic types of gongs, this one is the large dish-shaped gong, slightly convex, with a narrow rim.   It is a Cantonese wenluo (‘civil gong’), also known as chau (chauluo).  When played, it is suspended in a standing frame and struck with a padded mallet as seen here, sounding a low unfixed pitch.  It is used in Cantonese opera and in Chinese orchestras for special effects.  The  chaoluo (mountain luo) is one of the most unique kinds of gongs with the longest and widest usage in the history of gongs. It has a black frame and center, with a metal body. The Western tamtam was derived from this gong.   

Resource:  “Luo,” Alan R. Thrasher, “The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments,” 2nd ed., Laurence Libin, Editor in Chief.