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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
  • Place Made: China
  • 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)
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    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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     <em>Agate Chime</em>, 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)

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