Dimensions: 9-1/4" H x 7-3/4" Dia.

Extra ordinally, Chinese Qing Period, Qianlong Ritual Gilt Bronze Bell Bian Zhong, Stunning Double Headed Imperial dragon. The Gilt bronze bell is finely cast, surmounted with a double-headed PuLao dragon handle flanked on the flat top. The main body decorated in relief of five-clawed dragons borne from turbulent cresting waves amongst fumes clouds and flames. There is a rectangular panel to each side with inscription and banded with repeating scrolling ruyi clouds on the upper rim, circle medallion and archaistic pattern on the foot base. Beautiful Chinese censer that allures the eye, displaying an amazing level of craftsmanship. Golden shimmer to attractive all the vessels body. The Gilt bronze bell conformed all required specimen to be high valued Chinese gilt bronze bell wares, with finest material, the carving, and the shape. Without overlap the outlines of the design, well carved, clear, subtle, and distinct.


LOT NOTES:
The chime is important in symbolism because Qing means high ranking official and Qing ,celebrate. Sometimes two Qing's are shown placed together to form a rectangle to represent doubling the wish for an official appointment. A bell and a ruyi together is a charm to keep away evil. Huge bells date back thousands of years in China. The first Qin Emperor is said to have melted his defeated armies bronze weapons down to make bells. Bells were played as musical instruments from early days, carefully tuned to form a continuous octave. The large bells are hung from large wooden bell frame arranged by size and note. They are sounded by hitting with a wooden staff. An early set from the Warring States period consists of 65 bells ranging from 5 feet to just 8 inches. In later dynasties they became associated with religious temples and a bell is sounded at a Buddhist temple at midnight. Wind bells were fixed to roofs to make a melodic sound in the breeze. Hand bells are also used in China and a monk would often rattle small bells to beg for alms. In a painting a bell may wish luck as Zhong, fourth tone means succeed or win.
Dragon is the symbol of the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, eternity, Yang and Yin, male vigor and fecundity, the Li-Shui wave pattern which is known to be the abode of dragons. The dragon is also the most important of the four super natural creatures in Chinese mythology, ranked with the Phoenix, the Qilin, and the Tortoise. The dragon is also the symbol of the month March, of Spring and of rebirth and fertility for it brings the rain bearing clouds of spring. When shown with the heavenly pearl, sometimes ball, it represents thunder and the storm. Emblem of vigilance and safety, and frequently associated with the idea of joy.

Over all in EXCELLENT condition. With normal anomalies in nature, sign of stressed surface, minor scratch & dents. Surface traced wear and or declined to gilding. Normal, consider ages and wear.
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