A Very Rare and Important Imperial Gilt-bronze Ritual

A Very Rare and Important Imperial Gilt-bronze Ritual Bell, Bianzhong Heavily-cast with fine detail in cylindrical form with gently bulging sides, the flat top surmounted by a pair of entwined ferocious five-clawed dragons, their scales and manes intricately worked below serrated manes running along their arched backs, the large heads surmounted by pairs of antler-like horns, the sides crisply cast with a pair of sinuous five-clawed dragons also with intricately rendered scales and serrated back manes, striding amidst lingzhi-shaped clouds and flames above a band of rolling waves, the dragons separated by vertical rectangular panels, each surrounded by clouds and resting on a double-lotus base, all between bands of classic foliate scrolls and formalised cloud wisps with two striking discs above the edge. A very similar object can refer to Christie’s London, 10 November 2015, lot165 (realized price GBP362,500) H:25CM W:21CM
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