Agate Chime
Asian Art
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.
MEDIUM
Agate
DATES
18th century
DYNASTY
Qing Dynasty
PERIOD
Daoguang Period
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)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
77.205a-b
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Stanley J. Love in memory of Joseph and Minerva Love
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
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). 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)
IMAGE
front, 77.205a-b_front_PS4.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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