A LARGE IMPERIAL GILT-BRONZE ARCHAISTIC TEMPLE BELL, BIANZHONG MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI, DATED TO THE 52ND YEAR OF THE REIGN OF EMPEROR KANGXI (CORRESPONDING TO 1713)

the large bell finely cast, suspended from a double-headed dragon handle, each beast powerfully cast with eyes bulging and nostrils flaring above long curling whiskers, the mouth clenched open to reveal its tongue flicked up between sharp fangs, with two long studded horns extending back over its head along a combed mane with finely incised details, the two scaly bodies intertwined and crouching in ambush, the large barrel-shaped body with four panels of alternating bosses and triagrams, divided by two rectangular panels, one inscribed with the characters Kangxi wushier nian zhi, and the other with wu she

Removed from the Yuanmingyuan, Beijing, 1860.
Spink & Son Ltd., 21st November 1932.  The invoice records "From the Summer Palace at Pekin, 1860."
Collection of Lord and Lady Hesketh and the Trustees of Frederick, 2^nd baron Hesketh (deceased).

Apart from some minor nicks and scratches to the surface edges, the overall condition is very good. There is slight expected wear to the gilding near the base of the bell, but the rest of the bell retains almost all its original gilding.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The inscription on one side records the date of manufacture and reads 'Kangxi wushier nian zhi' which translates as 'Made in the 52^nd year of the Kangxi reign' (corresponding to 1713 A.D.). The reverse is inscribed with two characters 'wu she' which possibly indicate a classical pitch. Bells of this form but dated to different years of Kangxi's reign are believed to have come from a set made for the Temple of Agriculture at Beijing. See one sold in our New York rooms, 24^th April 1975, lot 240; and another in these rooms, 17^th May 1989, lot 454.

Compare also two bells sold in our New York rooms, one from the collection of Allen J. Mercher, 1^st November 1956, lot 40, and lot 41. A related bell of similar handle and dated to the 55^th year of Kangxi (corresponding to 1716 A.D.) but with dragons in relief around the body, was included in the exhibition Treasures from the Palace Museum, Tokyo, 1982, cat.no. 3; and another Kangxi bell of the same pattern is illustrated in Zhongguo meishu quanji, vol. 10, Beijing, 1987, pl. 176.