Page 60 - Deydier Early Chinese Bronzes

Ling 鈴 Bells

Together with weapons and tools, these small bells are among the
earliest bronze objects excavated at the Erlitou site. Quite small, from 7
to 8 cm high, these flat-bottomed upside-down teacup-shaped ling 鈴
bells have a small handle on one of their sides.

Quite a few of these bells have been scientifically excavated at the Erlitou
site, in Strata II (1981, Tomb M4, bronze no. 8), Strata III (autumn of
1984, Tomb II, item no. 2) and Strata IV (1986-87, Tomb M57, item
no. 3).

Ling 鈴

Weapons and Tools

A great number of bronze weapons and tools including ji 戟 hatchets,
ge 戈 halberd/axes, arrow heads, chisels, saws, scissors, fishing hooks
and knives have been excavated.

Scientific analyses have revealed that most of these objects were cast
with two-part molds using an alloy of from 92 to 98% copper mixed with
from 1 to 7% tin.

The majority of the bronze weapons consisted of ji 戟 hatchets and
ge 戈 halberds. The handles of some of the halberds were decorated
3with cloud or stylised animal motifs and some were probably originally
encrusted with turquoise, as can be surmised from the fact that they were
cast with now empty canal-like grooves.

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