China
Chinese

Metal, wood, cotton
Early-Mid 20th century
Diameter: 12 in; Rim Depth: 1 in;   Mallet: Length: 8.5 in
Idiophones – Struck Directly – Gongs

This is a Han Chinese suspended gong called a luo (a generic term for gong).  The luo is found in a variety of sizes and this one is the xiaoluo (‘small gong’) in comparison to the daluo (‘large gong’).  Its sound is considered to have a higher pitch and a feminine quality, so it is used to accompany the movements of ladies and scholars in Beijing opera performances.  It is made from a copper, zinc, and tine alloy called xiangtong (resonant copper).  The rim is shallow and turned back at 90 degrees.  The shape is convex with a circular flat surface in the center where it is struck with this padded mallet.  The xiaoluo is also part of the percussion section in the modern Chinese orchestra.