Agate Chime
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Object Label
This Qing-dynasty stone chime reflects the replication and transformation of archaic objects in later Chinese art. Stone chimes were used in the Shang and Zhou dynasties (circa 1600–256 b.c.) for ceremonial purposes and were originally smoothly carved and chevron shaped. China’s Bronze Age was revered in later dynasties, and stone chimes were revived along with other archaic objects and motifs. This piece is decorated with the taotie design, a zoomorphic mask often seen on ritual bronzes of ancient China. The agate material and ornate carving suggests that the chime served a decorative rather than a ceremonial purpose.
Caption
Agate Chime, 18th century. Agate, Main piece: 7 1/2 x 5/16 x 11 1/2 in. (19.1 x 0.8 x 29.2 cm) Top piece, joined by two brass chains: 1 3/4 x 1/4 x 3 3/4 in. (4.4 x 0.6 x 9.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Stanley J. Love in memory of Joseph and Minerva Love, 77.205a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 77.205a-b_front_PS4.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Agate Chime
Date
18th century
Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
Period
Daoguang Period
Geography
Place made: China
Medium
Agate
Classification
Dimensions
Main piece: 7 1/2 x 5/16 x 11 1/2 in. (19.1 x 0.8 x 29.2 cm) Top piece, joined by two brass chains: 1 3/4 x 1/4 x 3 3/4 in. (4.4 x 0.6 x 9.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Stanley J. Love in memory of Joseph and Minerva Love
Accession Number
77.205a-b
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
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