Bo (鈸 )

Unknown

19th century · Bronze (copper and tin alloy) · Musical Instruments

Bo is the generic name for pairs of cymbals that come in a variety of sizes, all with rims that curl upward at the edges. Bo are used together with gongs and drums for military music and play a prominent role in opera productions, where they accent the actors' movements. Several playing techniques may be employed: the discs may be clashed together or held horizontally, with one raking across the other to produce a sustained rolling sound.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Bronze (copper and tin alloy)

Culture

Chinese

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889