Zhong with Cloud and Thunder Pattern (Bronze bell with studs)

Preserved in good condition. The bell is corroded and has patina on it, and has greyish-green colour on the surface. Made of bronze. The body of the bell is shaped like a combined pair of tiles. Linked-pearl patterns are used as frames to define the central panel (zheng), the studs and the gu. The upper surface (wu) is flat and the two xian points are straight. The mouth (yu) is curved. There is mud inside the bell. The handle (yong) has a raised collar (xuan) on it. The xuan has a lug (xuanchong). There are four grooves on the sides of the handle near the top. No traces of polishing are found inside the body. The mouth (yu) has no inner lips. There are 36 conical studs on the body of the bell. The xuan, the areas (zhuan) between the studs and the centre of the gu are all decorated with thin-line cloud and thunder patterns in low relief. The upper surface (wu) is decorated with incised thick-line cloud and thunder patterns.