A Rare White Jade Bell Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period

finely carved and well hollowed in the form of a bronze bell, with slightly waisted sides and a gently flared mouthrim, decorated in low relief around the exterior with three bands of undulating archaistic motifs forming stylised taotie, between alternating pendent lappets of stiff leaves and ruyi encircling the waist and petal panels surrounding the apex, the latter surmounted by an arched finial formed of two addorsed dragons in openwork, crouching on their foreclaws while grasping a pearl in their mouth, the smoothly polished stone of pale celadon-white colour faintly mottled with icy inclusions and a pale brown patch

The bell is in overall good condition. There is some minor nibbling around the edge of the mouthrim.
"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 created for temples and shrines, this exquisitely carved piece is an example of large scale objects that were reproduced as miniatures. This practice was much enjoyed by the Qianlong Emperor who had a penchant for playthings. A slightly larger jade bell and stand, similarly decorated with archaistic designs and stiff leaves on the lower register, but with a knop depicting a floret encircled by a mythical animal, was sold in these rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 2032; one decorated with a taotie mask divided by vertical flanges, was included in the exhibition La Voix du Dragon. Trésors Archéologiques et Art Campanaire de la Chine Ancienne, Musée de la Musique, Paris, 2000, cat. no. 103; and a bell-form pendant was sold in our Paris rooms, 9th June 2010, lot 66. See also a white jade musical stone and a paperweight in the shape of two archaistic bells, in the Von Oertzen collection, illustrated in S. Howard Hansford, Jade. Essence of Hills and Streams, London, 1969, pls D23 and D24. The dragon-form knop on this bell is modelled after bronze knops often employed on large Kangxi and Qianlong bells, such as one dated to 1695, sold in our London rooms, 14th May 2008, lot 670.

Small bells carved with archaistic motifs were made in various media during the Qianlong period; see a miniature agate bell sold in these rooms, 8th October 2013, lot 3336; and a Qianlong mark and period white-glazed porcelain bell, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 118.