Ningxiang Chenjiawan Large Nao (Bronze nao with animal-mask motif)

Well preserved. The colour of the nao is earthy brown. 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. The body of the instrument is flat and wide with the distance between the two xian points being longer than the length of the xian. A tubular rod named yong (handle) on the base, hollow in the middle, is connected to the inside of the body. The yong bears a raised collar called xuan. The mouth (yu) is curved. The animal-mark motif formed by thick semicircular lines are the main design on the central panel (zheng). The zheng and the yong are surrounded by cloud pattern decoration. There is a animal-mask motif in the centre of the gu with its nose bridge in the shape of a bull’s head. The xuan on the yong is decorated with 8 C-shaped patterns.