A Kangxi Period Chinese Imperial Bell From the Count de Semallé's Collection

Published on 31 May 2024, by Sophie Reyssat

Auction on 12 June 2024 - 14:00 (CEST) - Salle 13 - Hôtel Drouot - 75009

The Qing Emperor set the pace for court rituals punctuated by chimes. This bell, brought back from China by Robert, Comte de Semallé (1849-1936), bears witness to this.

China, Kangxi period (1662-1722). Gilt bronze bianzhong ritual bell, decorated in... A Kangxi Period Chinese Imperial Bell From the Count de Semallé's Collection

China, Kangxi period (1662-1722). Gilt bronze bianzhong ritual bell, decorated in relief with two five-clawed dragons alternating with two cartouches inscribed “Yi ze” and “Kang Xi Bing Shen Nian Zhi” for 1716, the handle featuring two dragons side by side, h. 21, diam. 12 cm/ h. 8.26 in, diam 4.72 in.
Estimate: €150,000/200,000

This bell echoes another also made in 1716, whose success had resonated to the tune of €665,600 on December 16, 2019 at Drouot , under the same hammer. Both were kept in the family of Robert, Comte de Semallé (1849-1936), secretary to the French Legation in Peking between 1880 and 1884. From this diplomatic sojourn, he wrote a book ( Quatre ans à Pékin , Gabriel Enault, 1933) and brought back a collection…

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