Bronze Bell of Yongning Palace from the Southern Tang Dynasty in Taizhou

Bronze Bell of Yongning Palace from the Southern Tang Dynasty in Taizhou

Bronze Bell of Yongning Palace from the Southern Tang Dynasty in Taizhou

The bronze bell of Yongning Palace from the Southern Tang Dynasty is said to be a remnant of the bell tower in front of Yongning Palace built during the Southern Tang Dynasty, and was later hung in a bell tower during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty. The bell is cast in bronze, with an exterior that is bluish-green and lustrous. Its design is exquisitely crafted, featuring ornate patterns, clear lines, rigorous layout, and orderly arrangement, giving off an impression of classical elegance, symmetry, solemnity, and grandeur. The top of the bell features two dragons back-to-back, connected at the body, with double horns on their heads. Their long tongues hang down over the top of the bell and curl slightly upwards. Their bodies are adorned with scale patterns, and they gaze upward with raised heads while standing firmly on all fours, gripping the body of the bell tightly, creating a vivid image. The bell, including its knob, stands 206 cm tall, with an upper circumference of 312 cm, a midsection circumference of 358 cm, a lower circumference of 366 cm, a bottom mouth diameter of 115 cm, and a base thickness of 7 cm. It weighs 2,500 kilograms. The decorative motifs on the bell incorporate dragons, lotuses, ruyi symbols, peonies, grid patterns, and the Eight Trigrams, symbolizing wealth, good fortune, and protection against evil spirits. It is currently housed within Guangxiao Lü Temple in Taizhou.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Four Great Bronze Bells of Jiangsu