The Yongle Bell
211×322mm
2026.6
The Yongle Bell is a monographic publication dedicated to the Yongle Bell, the most treasured artifact of the Great Bell Temple Museum. Facing a bronze bell with six centuries of history, the design seeks to preserve and reinterpret its cultural and textual value through the medium of the book.
The bell is engraved with extensive inscriptions, including numerous historical variant characters. Based on the typeface Hanyi Xuansong 35s, more than one thousand characters were reconstructed and refined, creating a balance between historical authenticity and contemporary readability.
The interior design combines inscriptions, interpretations, and artifact imagery, allowing readers to understand the bell through both text and structure. The cover and box return to the solemn character of the artifact, using a yellow cloth surface, transparent stamping, and embossing to subtly reveal the form and details of the bell.
After nearly two years of work, from character creation to final publication, the project continues the same pursuit as the craftsmen six centuries ago: preserving precious words and allowing them to endure through time.
