1886.1.394.6

Collection type

Object

Description

Gong. Associated with .1-.8. [PB 28/1/2020]

Geographical reference

Myanmar (Burma)

Asia > South-eastern Asia > Myanmar (Burma)

Person

Field collector Unknown Collector

PRM source Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1878

Date collected

By 1878

Acquisition information

Transferred: 28/09/1885

Materials and processes

Material Copper Metal

Dimensions

Diameter: max 147 mm, Height: max 30 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1886.1.394.6 Other numbers: 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 395 [sic]

Research and responses

A set of 8 gongs, original label gives provenance as China. Each gong has a hole for the suspension string drilled in each quarter of the gong for suspension. Very much like the Chinese method of mounting them on a frame. [HLR] * There is a note in the Ramsden collectors volume stating 'Retrospective numbers written in pencil down left hand column June 1975 E.S.G. Collated with A.M. but considerable problems encountered. All Ramsden seem to be in A.M.' Note that this exercise may have been the source of the confusion that occurred during Elizabeth Sandford Gunn's work on the Ashmolean collection with regard to numbers. In some instances, these numbers SEEM to have been used to number the objects (wrongly). Note however that the strange accession number given second in the accession number field above is actually an anagram of her number, the plot thickens! here is the usual note about these strange accession numbers: Elizabeth Sandford Gunn matched objects listed in other sources [eg Ramsden catalogue] against the Ashmolean accession book. She added extra numbers to such catalogues in pencil. The source of these numbers is unknown at present. It appears that HLR, who was in the process of numbering objects at the same time, started to use the pencil numbers using ESG's system. However she became concerned about this numbering system and stopped placing these numbers on the objects though they are on the computer entries. She has undertaken to review all the objects with the 'strange' numbers and ensure that as many as possible only have the correct Ashmolean numbers and that all the matching documentation is changed accordingly. This may take some time, therefore you will find that in Objects PRM there will remain a number of objects which are incorrectly numbered or have two accession numbers in the accessions field. Please note that the first notes field entry should make it clear which is the correct number and any research visitors etc should use this number and not the incorrect one. [AP 12/1/99]

Search terms: Music, Musical Instrument, Gong