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Shang Dynasty chime stone tells Chinese music history
Updated: Aug 22, 2022
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Qing (chime stone) is a percussion instrument from ancient China, which was used to produce melodious sounds in sacrificial ceremonies.
The large chime, dating back to the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC), was made of the sonorous Lingbi stone, on which a robust crouching tiger is carved. It has a five-note scale.
The chime stone is a testimony to ancient Chinese music development, and was unearthed from the Yinxu Ruins, Anyang, Henan province, in 1950. It is now part of the permanent collection of the National Museum of China.
