清乾隆二十九年（1764） 和闐青玉「倍南呂」編磬 《乾隆二十九年製》款《倍南呂》字

of asymmetrical chevron form with a squared end angled to the longer tapered side, pierced with a suspension hole at the top, the upper edges incised and gilt with the characters reading Qianlong ershijiunian zhi (Made in the 29th year of Qianlong, corresponding to 1764) and beinanlu (second lowest of the sixteen tones), the stone of an even olive-green tone with occasional natural fissures and paler texturing, flecked with traces of bronze-coloured skin, wood stand

The chime is in good condition with the exception of 2mm., wide nick to the bottom edge and probable loss to the gilded decoration on the front and back face.
"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."

編磬為古代樂器，十六面一組，除十二正律外，又加四個半音。清宮舊藏有一組青玉編磬，署乾隆二十九年年款（1764），玉面飾描金雲龍紋，懸於木架上，現寶蓄北台故宮博物院，錄於《盛世華章》（China. The Three Emperors 1662-1795）展覽，皇家藝術學院，倫敦，2005年，編號32。書中第396頁指出清朝玉磬音質響亮清脆，留在重要祭祀時於天壇及社稷壇韶樂之用，而其餘的國家級典禮則採用石磬。

磬身厚薄用以制定音調高低。本品刻「倍南呂」，乃十六面編磬之第二低音。磬面紋跡顯示，磬面原飾描金雲龍紋。類同紀年西元1764年之青玉磬，有一例刻「林鐘」音，曾售於香港蘇富比1982年11月8及9日，編號364；另一例刻「黄鐘」音，曾售於香港蘇富比1999年6月16日，編號761；亦有一例屬「南呂」音，錄於《Chinese Jades through the Centuries》展覽圖錄，China Institute in America，紐約，1968年，編號66；第四作例刻有「始洗」音，曾售於邦瀚斯2010年11月11日，編號219。還有編磬例作曾錄於東方陶瓷學會展覽《Chinese Jades》圖錄，倫敦，1948年，編號235，但未有音律記錄。尚可參考兩編磬作例，紀年乾隆二十六年（1761），錄於《The Chinese Collection. Selected Works from the Norton Museum of Art》展覽圖錄，Norton Museum of Art，佛羅里達州，2003年，編號91及92。

這類編磬設計可上溯商代。1979年於山東省大夫觀村戰國古墓出土成組八面石磬，錄於《Confucius. His Life and Legacy in Art》，China Institute Gallery，紐約，2010年，編號18。