Collection record · Objects & craft
Handle of a Jiangu Drum
The collection record classifies this work as metalwork. It is dated c. 770–475 BCE. Recorded culture or place: China, Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE), Spring and Autumn period (770–475 BCE).
Explore the object recordOBJECT RECORD
A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Handle of a Jiangu Drum
- Date
- c. 770–475 BCE
- Culture / origin
- China, Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE), Spring and Autumn period (770–475 BCE)
- Materials and technique
- bronze
- Dimensions
- Overall: 9 cm (3 9/16 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1941.548
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
The most remarkable feature of this object is the four kneeling figures with ornamented bodies; Han dynasty sources mention cut hair and tattooing as a custom among the local Yue people. This bronze work served as a handle and top ornament of a large, barreled drum called jiangu (建鼓), supposedly made of lacquer and alligator skin. Two comparable handles from tombs dated to the Spring and Autumn period in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces were found amid musical instruments. The handle allows the drum to be suspended and played from the sides.
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Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · Edward L. Whittemore Fund · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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