A LARGE IMPERIAL GILT-BRONZE ARCHAISTIC TEMPLE BELL, BIANZHONG MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG, DATED TO THE TENTH YEAR (1745)

the large rounded bell heavily cast, the flat top suspended from a powerful four-sided geometric fret-work handle, the body cast in high relief with five panels of alternating decorative bands including bosses and stylised trigrams, divided by two rectangular panels each enclosing an inscribed tablet raised on a lotus pedestal and surrounded by ruyi cloud scrolls, one inscribed with the seven character mark Da Qing Qianlong shi nian zhi (corresponding to 1745), and the other with the three characters, bei yi ze, the lower register cast with two large discs separating pairs of archaistic motifs

Christie's New York, 21st March 2000, lot 167.

Apart from some light tarnishing to the gilding and light wear with minor scratches and nicks, the overall condition is very good.
"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 Da Qing Qianlong shi nian zhi which translates as 'made in the 10th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign of the Great Qing Dynasty' (corresponding to 1745). The reverse is inscribed with three characters that read bei yi ze, indicating a classical pitch that corresponds to G-sharp.

It is thought that China was the first to produce tuned sets of bells, which occupied a prominent position in ancient Chinese ritual orchestras. Bells of this type were assembled in graduated sets of sixteen and suspended on wooden frames in two tiers of eight. Unlike archaic bell chimes which featured a range of sizes, these later bells were uniform in size but differed in thickness to produce the respective musical note.

Bianzhong were essential in ritual ceremonies at the imperial altars, formal banquets and during processions. It has been noted that in 1741, the Qianlong emperor set up a music division for court music and the specified melodies of his choice for the various court functions prevailed into the early 20th century.

It is rare to find Qianlong bells decorated with trigrams and extant examples are more commonly dated to the Kangxi reign; for example see two groups of five bells from the C. Ruxton and Audrey B. Love collection, sold at Christie's New York, 20th October 2004, lots 455 and 456; a single bell dated to the 52nd year of the Kangxi period, from the Lord and Lady Hesketh collection, sold in these rooms, 9th October 2007, lot 1327; and another dated to the 54th year of Kangxi reign, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 26th April 1999, lot 520. For a Qianlong bell of this shape dated to 1743, but cast with dragons pursuing 'flaming pearls', see one sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27th May 2008, lot 1540. See another related bell offered in our 7th October 2010 sale "An Important Private Collection of Qing Historical Works of Art," lot 2105.