Siru Bianzhong (Bronze bell)

Preserved in good condition. The handle (yong) and the central panel (zheng) are broken and have small holes. The mouth (yu) is partly missing. Made of Bronze. This instrument features the common characteristics of a bronze bell with a three-column stud design. The body of the bell is flat and slim, and shaped like a combined pair of tiles. The mouth (yu) is slightly curved and folded inward. Thick lines cast in low relief form frames that divide the studs, the central panel (zheng) and the gu. There are no zhuan (areas between the studs). The upper surface (wu) is flat. The two xuan points are straight and at slanted angles The tubular handle (yong) is hollow in the middle, and is connected to the inside of the bell. The bell has a total of 18 spiral studs with three rows placed on either side of the body. The bottom section of the bell is decorated with four spiral studs. On the top of the handle (yong) there is a raised collar decorated with cord patterns. The rest of the body has a plain design.