- 39
Cloche rituelle impériale Bianzhong en bronze doré et son support en bronze Chine, dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong, datée 1748
Description
Provenance
Condition
"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."
Catalogue Note
The present bianzhong represents the Jiazhong which is the fourth musical tone in the sequence of twelve, with four notes repeated in the lower and higher octaves. Bianzhong of this type were hung in two tiers of eight bells attached to a frame as seen in situ illustrated in the Qingdai gongting shenghuo (Life in the Palace during the Qing Dynasty), Beijing, 1985, pl. 43. A set of sixteen bianzhong dated to the 52nd year of Kangxi's reign was included in the exhibtion The Three Emperors, the Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2006, cat. no 32, where on p. 396 it is mentioned that 'according to Lothar Falkenhausen, China was the first in the production of tuned sets of bells, which occupied a prominent position in ancient Chinese ritual orchestras'. Bells together with jade sonorous stones, also suspended in a wooded frame in two ordered rows, were made to produce music at ritual ceremonies, processions, formal banquets and at the imperial altars.
This bianzhong is unusual for its decoration of stylized characters, phoenix and tortoise design rarely seen on bells, however, a bianzhong of closely related form and decoration was sold at Christie's London, 29th March 1966, lot 171. See also two gilt-bronze dated to 1715 of Kangxi's reign but of the same fourth musical tone (Jiazhong), cast with large scaly dragons, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27th May 2009, lot 1818.
Examples of Qianlong period bells can also be found; see a large imperial bell sold in our London rooms, 8th November 2006, lot 36; and another dated to the first year of Qianlong's reign and made for a Buddhist temple, offered at Christie's London, 4th November 2008, lot 48.