A BRONZE BELL, YONGZHONG, WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY

拍品描述

A BRONZE BELL, YONGZHONG, WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY Expert’s note The three throws of spikes on either side of the present bell have tips of varying shape, indicative of probable filing post manufacture, and neither the result of casting nor subsequent wear or weathering. Instead, there is a theory that suggests that these spikes were used for tuning the bells (see image section, for an enlargement showing this). Examples like the present lot were often found in the tombs of nobility, such as the set discovered in a grave chamber of the Marquis Yi of Zeng (see image section). Metallurgical Analysis: XRF analysis identified a tin bronze composed predominantly of copper with circa 7% tin and only circa 0.5% lead, with virtually no zinc (<0.1%). The alloy composition is consistent with ancient Chinese bronze metallurgy and the proposed Western Zhou dating. The tin content is particularly significant for the vessel’s function as a bell. The addition of tin increases the hardness and rigidity of copper, improving its resonance and ability to sustain a clear tone when struck. China, 1100-771 BC. Finely cast, the body of lenticular section, gently flaring toward the lower mouth. The body is decorated to each sides with a plain panel flanked by three rows of nine projecting mei bosses, all bordered by small studs within thread-relief borders. The hollow, cylindrical shank is encircled by a rounded collar and has a suspension loop on one side Dimensions: Height 27.3 cm Bells of this type were made in graduated sizes to form a set or instrumental ‘chime’. Each bell was capable of emitting at least two different tones, dependent on the exact location struck. Robert Bagley explains, “sets of bells were both aurally and visually the most prominent instruments of musical ensembles” in ancient China, but were unknown outside of China, see Jenny So (ed.), Music in the Age of Confucius, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington DC, 2000, pp. 35-63. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related bell, dated to the Spring and Autumn period, 7th-6th century BC, 26.4 cm high, in the National Palace Museum Taipei, object number 購銅000101N000000000. Compare a closely related bell, dated to the Spring and Autumn period, 38.2 cm high, in the Shanghai Museum. Compare a related bell, dated to the Warring States period, ca. 600-550 BC, 33.4 cm high, in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number F1911.42. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 September 2013, lot 1477 Price: USD 47,500 or approx. EUR 55,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and casting manner with a similar patina and size (25 cm) Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 23 March 2018, lot 903 Price: USD 200,000 or approx. EUR 235,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and casting manner with similar bosses. Note the much larger size (44 cm).

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