Hollow shaft bell (nao) with masks (taotie) and dragons

Historical period(s)
Shang dynasty, ca. 1300-1200 BCE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H x W x D: 70 x 52 x 35 cm (27 9/16 x 20 1/2 x 13 3/4 in) Weight: 90718.4 grams (3200 oz)
Geography
China, lower Yangzi River valley
Credit Line
The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; a joint gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Paul Singer, the AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, and the Children of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1999.120.1
On View Location
Sackler Gallery 23a: Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Musical Instrument
Type

Bell

Keywords
China, Paul Singer collection, Shang dynasty (ca. 1600 - ca. 1050 BCE)
Provenance

To 1970
Alan Hartman, New York. [1]

From 1970 to 1997
Dr. Paul Singer (1904-1997), Summit, New Jersey, purchased from Alan Hartman, New York. [2]

From 1997 to 1999
In the custody of Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, DC [3]

From 1999
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Paul Singer, the AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, and the Children of Arthur M. Sackler. [4]

Notes:

[1] See Curatorial Remark 5 in the object record. Dr. Paul Singer purchased this object from Alan Hartman of the Hartman Rare Art, Inc., New York in 1970.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art was in the custody of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington DC between 1997 and 1999.

[4] See “The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art Gift Agreement” from March 1999, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Alan Hartman
Dr. Paul Singer 1904-1997
Dr. Carol Master born 1941
Dr. Elizabeth A. Sackler born 1948
Arthur F. Sackler born 1950
Denise Marika born 1955
Arthur M. Sackler Foundation founded 1965
AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities founded 1981

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use