Section of a Clapper (Paiban)
Not on view
In continuous use since the Tang dynasty, the paiban usually comprises two to six slabs of wood strung together at one end with a cord. It is held vertically and clapped to keep time. Here, a beautifully decorated single length of ivory preserves traces of its original red pigment. Red-colored ivory clappers are known in literature of the Northern Song dynasty (11th century).
Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
