A RARE AND IMPORTANT IMPERIAL GILT BRONZE RITUAL BELL, heavily cast into a barrel form, surmounted by a cloud-form handle flanked by two arches and above a smaller square handle, cast to body with four vertical panels, the two at sides showing five-clawed dragons striding amidst cloud scrolls and waves clutching a 'flaming pearl. Topmost horizontal band centered by phoenix and dragon turtle verso, five lower horizontal bands alternate rows of raised bosses and flames or waves corresponding to the phoenix or dragon turtle sides respectively, the flat top showing two phoenix and two cranes among clouds.
Dimension: 26cm H x 20cm W
Purchased from Europe