Cloche rituelle impériale Bianzhong en bronze doré et son support en bronze Chine, dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong, datée 1748

de forme bombée, surmontée de deux dragons affrontés formant l'attache de suspension, chaque face ornée de cinq registres horizontaux alternant rivets et caractères archaïsants, encadrant une tablette verticale bordée de ruyi et portant l'inscription Qianlong shi san nian zhi (fait la treizième année du reigne de Qianlong) d'un côté et Jiazhong de l'autre, le bas de la cloche sculpté de médaillons trigrammes, rochers et flots tumultueux, les côtés de dragons, et le haut d'un phénix et d'une tortue marine, le dessus de la cloche décoré de phénix en vol ; le support en bronze patiné entièrement sculpté en relief de dragons sur les colonnes et les deux arches de soutien, flots et nuages dans la partie basse

Collection assemblée par l'arrière grand-père de l'actuelle proprétaire à la fin du XIXe siècle et dans la famille depuis.

The bell is in good condition. Some wear and oxidization to the gilding that have darkened over the time (visible on the photograph in the catalogue), some pitting and tiny dents to the surface in areas and green oxidization to the interstices of the design. The stand is in good condition with the exception of some wear to the edges, some wear also to the black lacquer and green oxidization on the surface of the two rectangular plaques carved with waves at the bottom each side below the bottom rail.
"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 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.