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Unknown Maker, Chinese

Lithophone
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker, Chinese

Culture

Chinese

Title

Lithophone

Year

1761-1762

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

wire, teak, gold, jade

Geography

Origin: China, Qing Dynasty, 1644-1911

Dimensions

41 x 60 x 3.2 cm (16 1/8 x 23 5/8 x 1 1/4 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Inscription between the two dragons.

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Object Number

37.113

Type

Articles

Substitutions

My experimental sound work Substitutions is inspired by the Chinese lithophone in the RISD Museum’s Asian art collection. Lithophones are ancient instruments, stones that vibrate and produce sound when struck.

Jade Lithophone with Dragon Decoration

Exhibition History

Asian Art Galleries
Jun 10, 2014

Label copy

This inverted L-shaped stone, gold accenting its design and calligraphy, was meant to be struck with a wooden mallet during imperial musical rituals at the Temple of Agriculture in the Chinese capital. Originally one in a set of 12 chimes-for the 12 lunar months-each stone had a distinct pitch, tuned to reflect a mathematical relationship with the celestial world.

Chinese Treasures from the Permanent Collection
Mar 03, 1989 – Apr 23, 1989
Rockefeller Asian Art Gallery

Related Objects

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Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Chinese
Lithophone, 1761-1762
Jade and gold
41 x 60 x 3.2 cm (16 1/8 x 23 5/8 x 1 1/4 inches)
Gift of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 37.113

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