Bell 2 at The British Museum, London

myminifactory

This massive and cumbersome bell originates from the local area of Southwest China. Music played a vital role in the life of ancient Chinese courts. Drums have been used since the Neolithic period, and with the introduction of bronze casting, the first small bells emerged around 1650 BC. This marked the beginning of a long-standing tradition of music-making for court ceremonies and rituals. Unfortunately, few early drums have survived as they were crafted from wood and animal hides that have decayed over time. Bronze bells are more common, however, and were cast with an elliptical shape: when struck from the outside, this form produced two distinct notes. One note was produced at the midpoint of the lip, while the other was generated at the corner. Shang bells were mounted on pedestals, mouth facing upwards. In the late Shang capital of Anyang, located in Henan province, sets consisting of three or five bells of different sizes were employed. China entered a period of constant warfare in the 4th century BCE known as the Warring States period. During this time, large states such as Chu rapidly expanded their power over smaller ones thanks to technological advancements. Although historians often characterize this period as excessively violent compared to the Spring and Autumn period, it was also marked by several cultural and social developments through the spread of various sects of Confucianism and Taoism. This object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory. Through Scan the World, we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access at no cost. Scan the World is an open-source community effort. If you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate. The object was scanned using photogrammetry (processed with Agisoft PhotoScan).