Bell （Zheng）

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In ancient China the Zheng bell is used to send signals in military operations. In contrast to the tall, slender bodies and long stems of most known examples, the present bell has a short, broad body and short stem, which, however, has an Eastern Zhou ceramic counterpart found in Ningbo, now housed in the Ningbo Museum. Its hollow stem still bears traces of a wood handle. The anachronistic early Zhou style inscription on the bell interior appears to have been added in recent times.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art