Date: Xia Dynasty (2070-1600 BC)
Provenance: Excavated at Erlitou site in Yanshi, Henan province
Measurements: Height: 9 cm

The bell exhibits a tapered form, narrowing at the top and expanding towards the base. It is of a combined-tile shape, with a single wing on one side, and two semi-circular shaped holes at its apex; in the center of the top is an arched knob for tying to a handle. The entire surface is unadorned. When excavated, it was wrapped in layers of textiles, and there was a jade clapper within the body of the bell. This bronze bell, though simple in design, is of special significance among early bronze works as it is the earliest example in China of a bronze musical instrument with a clapper. Its combined-tile shape derives from the elliptical shape of the pottery bells of ancient central China.

As the point of origin of China's combined-tile-shaped bronze bells, it provides the foundation of Shang and Zhou models of musical instruments, and as such it is of epoch-marking significance in the history of Chinese art.