Chongming Temple: Bell

CHINA, Henan, Jiaozuo; Northern Song dynasty

According to an inscription on the bell, it was cast in China in 1097 during the Northern Song dynasty. Originally housed in Chongming Temple in Henan, it was later transported to Korea. The bell was confiscated during Japanese rule (1910–1945) and was discovered in an ordnance depot after the war. It was subsequently returned to Korea and placed in Jeondeungsa Temple. It was listed as Treasure No. 393 in 1963.
The crown of the bell features two dragons. On the shoulder, there is a ring of lotus petals beneath which there are the eight trigrams used in Daoism. The waist is divided into upper and lower sections, each with eight panels featuring five columns of inscriptions. Near the bottom of the bell, there are four raised bosses that produce a beautiful sound when struck. The striking panel consists of a series of eight curves ending in a point where they meet.