Zhong with Decoration on One Side (Bronze bell)

Generally well preserved. Made of bronze, with colouring on the surface. This instrument was crudely made. The body of the bell is shaped like a combined pair of tiles. The upper surface (wu) is flat and the two xian points are straight. The curve of the mouth (yu) is larger than other bells. The cylindrical handle (yong) is short and solid. It has no raised collar, but has a lug (xuanchong) shaped like a square attached to it. One side of the body has decorative patterns and studs. The centre of the gu is decorated with thunder patterns. The studs are divided into two sections, and each section is arranged into three rows of two studs (this is different to the three rows of three studs arrangement that is commonly seen on other bells). The bell only has a total of 12 studs. This bell only has thunder patterns at the front (on the centre of the gu) and does not have any decorative patterns at the back. This indicates that at this point in history the making of bells became increasingly rushed and careless. This kind of bell is likely to be a musical instrument cast by the Yue people in the central and south Hunan regions, before they were occupied by the Chu people during the Spring and Autumn period.