Lot 27 email save

[17TH CENTURY VIETNAMESE BELL]

27. [17TH CENTURY VIETNAMESE BELL] Bronze bell dedicated to the emperor, possibly from the Gia-long Dynasty 1600-1840. Measuring 15" in diameter at bottom, tapering to 7" with sculpted dragon poised atop, each of its five-toed paws resting on the surface. Small rear section missing, very possibly a second head. Two figures bow to each other at center, hands clasped. The bell is 30" in height, 49" in circumference at the base, and weighs 110 pounds. An old welding repair thinly traces 17" of 33" circumference of section near top. From the An Lo Valley, it was rung on special holidays or to commemorate special events related to the emperor or king. Although displaying Chinese-style dragon motifs and Chinese-character inscriptions, its overall shape and design suggest Annamese derivation that is from that forested area following the border between Laos and Vietnam near the Gulf of Tonkin. Its Chinese motifs may be explained by the intertwining cultural Vietnamese with Chinese influences for centuries. There are two inscriptions on the bell, "Chiu An-ch' un tsao" translated "Made by [or for] Chiu An-ch'un," who is so far not identified. The other "Wu-wu nien chih" or "produced in the year wu-wu" is the 55th year in the sixty-year Chinese calendar cycles, and by the condition of the bell would place it most probably in the 18th century or earlier. Accompanied by provenance from the Deputy Director of the National Palace Museum in Taipei. A superb relic of dynastic Southeast Asia. MB: $25000

Presented by Signature House

View Signature House next auction.

Similar lots up for auction