Luobo Bell: Witnessing the prosperity of the Northern Song Dynasty and the humiliation of Jingkang

The Luobo Bell was cast during the Xuanhe period of Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty. The entire bell is cast with patterns of the emperor's ceremonial procession (called Luobo), showing the grand scene of the Song Dynasty's royal rituals. Ironically, this large bronze bell, which is full of prosperity, is also a witness to the humiliation of Jingkang, in which the two emperors of the Northern Song Dynasty were captured and humiliated. 📷📷📷📷 In 1127, the Luobo Bell was taken away by the Jin people along with the two emperors of the Northern Song Dynasty, Huizong and Qinzong, and transported to the Yanshan Temple in Yanshan County, Yanjing. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, the inscription of the year of Emperor Qianlong was added, and then the bell was transported to Chengde. Later, it was stolen from Chengde by Tang Zuo-rong and transported to his official residence in Fengtian (the former site of the Liaoning Provincial Museum). After the liberation, it was included in the collection of the Liaoning Provincial Museum. 📷📷📷📷 The bell body is divided into six layers by string patterns: the first layer is the bell top, which is hemispherical, and the bell button is cast with two dragons; the second, third, and fourth layers are convexly cast with "Luobo" and "Palace Guard" patterns, all of which are Song Dynasty costumes, respectively, "Carriage," "Flag," and "Palace Guard"; the fifth layer is mountains, trees, houses, and people; the sixth layer is seawater, immortals, and dragons. Apart from its historical significance, it is also one of the most beautiful bronze bells I have ever seen.