Chimes were invented in China in the Western Zhou Dynasty, nearly 3000 years ago, along with huge bronze bells. As the metallurgical skills developed, bells became more elegant and exquisite. The Ming Dynasty was their heyday, when they were used to mark the passage of time as well as to make music. China’s ancient bells record its brilliant civilization.

Ancient Bells of China

Ancient Bells of China

Stamp Title: Ancient Bells of China
Serial number: 2000-25
Values in set: 4
(4-1), Jingshu Bell from the Western Zhou Dynasty, 80 fen, 30*40mm
(4-2), Su Chime Bell from the Spring and Autumn Period, 80 fen, 30*40mm
(4-3), Jingyun Bell from the Tang Dynasty, 80 fen, 30*40mm
(4-4), Qianlong Bell from the Qing Dynasty, 280 fen, 30*40mm
Denomination: 5.20 yuan
Date of issue: 31st December 2000
Designer: Huang Li and Guo Chenghui
Size of stamps: 30*40mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 40
Printing process: Gravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

Knowing China Through Chinese Stamps.

2000年特种邮票《中国古钟》
国家邮政局定于2000年12月31日发行《中国古钟》特种邮票1套4枚。
（4-1）T 西周·井叔钟 80分 2421.1万枚
（4-2）T 春秋·镈 80分 2421.1万枚
（4-3）T 唐·景云钟 80分 2421.1万枚
（4-4）T 清·乾隆钟 280分 1820.52万枚

志号：2000-25T
版别：影写
整版枚数：40枚
全套面值：520分
齿孔度数：125度
邮票规格：30×40毫米
设计者：黄里、郭承辉
印刷厂：北京邮票厂

钟在我国商代时就已经出现，最初只有三至五个，到周朝时增至九至十三个，战国时发展到六十一个。人们按钟的大小、音律、音高把钟编成组，制成编钟，演奏出悠扬悦耳的乐曲。钟上大都刻有铭文，铸有佛经、咒语等。

这些古钟的铜质非常好，历经数个世纪，仍完好无损，声音洪亮悠扬，能传到数十里以外，尤其是乾隆钟，采用纯金制造，又称金钟。它造型优美，顶端为蛟龙纽，纽两端为龙首、龙身相连，钟体成三段，上段浮雕云纹，中段刻游龙戏珠图案，腾游于海涛流云之间，姿态飘逸。