Page 22 - Bonhams, Roger Keverne Moving on Part 1 May 11, 2021 London

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A RARE ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL BELL, BO Impressive in form and design, the present bell reflects the high
Eastern Zhou Dynasty sophistication level achieved in Chinese casting techniques during the
The instrument with a pointed oval section, cast on each side with Eastern Zhou period. The implement was produced using the typical
four horizontal bands, the broad lowest band decorated with low- casting techniques of the state of Jin (present-day Shanxi Province),
relief designs depicting taotie masks flanked by stylised dragons which became the main centre of bronze casting in north China at
patterned in leiwen spirals, the upper three bands each bearing six the time.
large hemispherical bosses and divided by a vertical panel, the flat
top supporting an elaborate openwork suspension loop cast as a pair Ritual bells were decorated by using carved clay pattern blocks which
of confronted feline mythical beasts with sinuous bodies decorated were impressed onto strips of clay which served as moulds for the
with swirling leiwen designs, upturned curling tails and long necks, the bronze. The impressive rows featured on the present bell would have
surface with a grey-green patina and scattered malachite and azurite been obtained using one master pattern block so the same design
encrustations. 25.4cm (10in) high. could be repeated on different bells. Similar bells to the present
example were excavated from the tomb of the Marquis Yi of Zheng
£2,000 - 4,000 (d. ca. 433 BC), see J.Rawson, Mysteries of Ancient China, London,
CNY18,000 - 36,000 1996, p.133. According to the author, the elliptical cross-section of
bells dating to the Eastern Zhou dynasty was a fundamental element
Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價 that determined the musical quality and the two notes that could be
achieved: the first by striking the bell on the outside at the central point
東周 青銅饕餮紋鎛鐘 of the lip, the second by striking the corner; see Ibid., p.134.

A bronze ritual bell, Eastern Zhou dynasty, displaying a similar
decoration as the present example, is illustrated in the Marco Polo
Seventh Centenary Exhibition, Chinese Art, Venice, 1954, no.75; a
further example is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
New York, acc.no.1988.20.7.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
20 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.