Lot 41 , A Chinese archaic bronze bell, Yong Zhong, late Western Zhou/early Eastern Zhou dynasty, 9th-8th century B.C., 39cm high
A Chinese archaic bronze bell, Yong Zhong, late Western Zhou/early Eastern Zhou dynasty, 9th-8th century B.C., cast in shallow relief with bands of tight scrolls and pronounced bosses, set on a cylindrical shaft with bulbous knop, dark brown patina with patches of malachite encrustation, 39cm high
Estimate £5,000-7,000
Literature:
Compare a similarly decorated bronze Zhong in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession no. AC1998.251.17 described as probably Shaanxi Province, Late Western Zhou dynasty, about 850-771 B.C.
A similar shape bronze bell bronze bell in the British Museum, accession no. 1984.0528.1, is illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Bronzes Art & Ritual, British Museum Publications, 1987 p.83 plate 28 and dated to the Western Zhou dynasty.
The form and decoration of this bell are also similar to the 'Xing zhong' which bears an inscription to the official Xing who was bestowed his land and wealth by King Xiao (876-868 B.C.) of the Zhou.
Provenance: the estate of the late Jean-Claude Jean-Claude (1926-2016).
Jean-Claude Lepileur was a man of great learning. Born in Lisieux in France, he became a buyer and seller of antiques and formed a partnership with Mrs Senta Christian in a joint antiques venture, travelling to and from England from their early base in Deauville in Normandy. Mr Lepileur was a self-taught historian, chemist and restorer, with a particular love of all things Asian, especially pieces of art from China. And more specifically ancient Chinese bronze artefacts, which he collected avidly all his life.
Mr Lepileur and Mrs Christian moved their business to Finchley in London in the 1950s and they continued to operate as a partnership until 1996, when Mrs Christian passed away. Jean-Claude had a very discerning eye for art and at one point even managed to identify two original Rembrandt sketches for sale on a stall on Portobello Market and was able to purchase them for a few pounds. They were later fully authenticated by the Victoria and Albert Museum. Mr Lepileur was also a frequent visitor to the British Museum in those days as he was always keen to compare his latest Chinese bronze acquisitions with those in the collection of the museum. During his life he amassed a collection of some eighty bronzes and a number of ceramics, pictures and scrolls. He also collected over 60 reference books, many of them very detailed, which he used to assist him with his research. Mr Lepileur was still buying and selling up until his death in December last year, aged 90.
The collection is presented complete, with no omissions and is a great tribute to his skill in identifying, researching and collecting some wonderful pieces of Chinese art.
Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Gorringes Conditions of Sale.
Sold for £4,000