Zhong with Cloud Pattern (Bronze bell with studs)

Generally well preserved. One xian point is slightly broken. The whole body of the instrument is black and is covered in patina. The shape and structure of this bell resemble the bell with thin-line cloud patterns. The body of this bell is shaped like a combined pair of tiles. Incised lines are used as frames to define the central panel (zheng), the areas (zhuan) between the studs, the studs and the gu. The body has 36 columnar studs. The upper surface (wu) is flat and the two xian points are straight. The mouth (yu) is curved. The tubular rod handle (yong) has a raised collar (xuan), which has a lug (xuanchong) attached to it. There are no small studs used to form frames on the areas between the main studs, but incised thick lines are used to divide the zhuan and zheng. The wu, zhuan and the centre of the gu are all decorated with cloud patterns.