A Pair of Chinese Marble Stone Drums

Historic Chinese homes often have stone drums outside as a symbol of status, power, and protection. These drums, called "bi" in Chinese, serve both functional and symbolic purposes. Historically, stone drums were placed in front of important buildings, including homes, palaces, and temples, to assert the owner's authority and signify the importance of the structure. Symbolically, the stone drums represent stability, prosperity and protection. The round shape is believed to symbolize harmony and completeness. The presence of stone drums was thought to ward off evil spirits and more generally, to increase the prestige of the property. These drum stones are newly made from Hebei marble and traditional Northern style.