A WHITE JADE BELL AND SPINACH JADE STAND BELL: QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY STAND: QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

the bell carved from the lustrous stone of an even chalky-white tone, suspended from a knop reticulated with a floret encircled by scaly mythical animals, the inverted 'U'-shaped body slightly flaring at the bottom, decorated in low relief to the middle with a band of taotie masks, between rectangular tiles and pendant stylised cicada motifs, the arch of the spinach jade stand formed by a pair of confronting dragons, rising from a quadrilobed waisted pedestal decorated with openwork scrolls and supported on four feet, the bell suspended from the stand by a brass ring

Apart from a 1 cm area which has been slightly polished to the lower rim, the overall condition of the bell is very good. In addition to nibbles and bruises, the stand also has areas which have been slightly polished down, refilled or stabilised with glue, including a 1.3 cm long refilled area to the lower inner rim.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Modelled after large bronze bells and stands created for temples and shrines, this exquisitely carved piece is an example of large scale objects reproduced as a miniature. This practice was much enjoyed by the Qianlong emperor who had a penchant for play things. No other related example appears to have been published, although a large white jade pendant depicting a bell of this form and similarly decorated with archaistic designs and stiff leaves on the lowest register, was sold in our Paris rooms, 9^th June 2010, lot 66.

For a bronze prototype, see one of more flared form and cast with dragons and suspended from an ornate dragon-carved wood stand, attributed to the Xuande period (1426-35), sold in our New York rooms, 26^th February 1983, lot 547.