AN IMPERIAL GILT-BRONZE ARCHAISTIC TEMPLE BELL, BIANZONG MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI, DATED 54TH YEAR (CA. 1715)

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 thrust 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 trigrams, divided by two rectangular panels, one inscribed with the characters Kangxi wushisi nian zhi ('Made in the fifty-fourth year of Kangxi'), and the other with ying zhong, denoting its musical pitch

The overall condition is very good with only typical minor scratches to the gilding and dents to the body.
"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 wushisi nianzhi, which translates as 'made in the 54^th year of the Kangxi reign' (corresponding to 1715 AD). The reverse is inscribed with two characters yingzhong which possibly denote its classical pitch.

Two sets of bells of this form appear to have been created during Kangxi's reign; the first in the 52^nd year (1713) and the second in the 54^th year (1715), and are believed to have been made for the Temple of Agriculture in Beijing. Eight bells from the latter set are known, five of which were formerly in the Audrey B. Love collection and were sold at Christie's New York, 20^th October 2004, lot 456. Two further bells have been sold at auction; a taicu bell (third tone) was sold in these rooms, 19^th March 2007, lot 25; and a wushe bell (fifth tone) was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 26^th April 1999, lot 520. For bells from the earlier set, see one sold in our New York rooms, 24^th April 1975, lot 240; and two sold in these rooms, 9^th October 2007, lot 1327, and the other, 17^th May 1979, lot 454.

Gilt-bronze bells of this type were assembled in sets of sixteen and produced twelve musical tones, with four tones repeated in a higher or lower octave. The music produced by these musical instruments was believed to facilitate communication between humans and deities.