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Xiangxiang Huangmasai Nao (Bronze nao with cloud pattern)

Preserved in good condition. One end of the yong is slightly broken. Made of bronze, with light green colour on the surface. The body of the bell is shaped like a combined pair of tiles. The underside (wu) is flat and the two xian points are straight. There is a tubular rod named yong (handle) on the base, which is thick and short, hollow in the middle and is connected to the inside of the body. Nao bells without raised collars (xuan) on the yong are commonly found in the lower regions of the Yangtze River, but are extremely rare in the Hunan region. This nao is the only one of this kind that has been found in the Hunan region. The mouth (yu) is slightly curved. The body is covered with cloud patterns. It is decorated with 36 conical studs with spiral threads, each stud with a height of 0.75cm. Each side of the body has 18 studs. Cloud patterns also decorate the underside (wu). The yong is decorated with two cloud patterns featuring pointed ends.

  • Culture:
  • Period:
  • Materials:Bronze
  • Specific materials/techniques:
  • Decorative elements:
  • Inscriptions:
  • Hornbostel-Sachs category:111.242.11 (Individual) resting bells
  • Repository:Hunan Museum
  • Measurements:Total height: 39.9cm, mid-body length: 22.8cm, weight: 14.7kg, horizontal diameter of the wu: 28.0cm, vertical diameter of the wu: 12.9cm, distance between the two xian points: 29.0cm, length of the xian: 25.0cm, height of each stud: 0.75cm, length of the yong: 14.7cm, diameter of the top of the yong: 6.2cm, diameter of the bottom of the yong: 5.8cm, distance between the two sides of the centre of the gu: 18.9cm, thickness of middle of the gu: 1.4cm