Beschreibung:

A RARE PAIR OF EARLY MING SINO-TIBETAN BRONZE RITUAL BELLS AND A DOUBLE VAJRA YONGLE AND XUANDE SIX-CHARACTER MARKS AND OF THE PERIOD Each similar domed bell cast in relief with a border of lotus petal lappets enclosing lanca characters above a wide border of lion masks suspending beaded chains divided by auspicious emblems framed by thin bands enclosing double- vajras , the gilt-bronze handles with the head of a diety in a contemplative mood wearing a crown supporting a single vajra rising from a lotus pod, the nianhao cast in a vertical line on the interior opposite three lanca characters; and a gilt-bronze double- vajra the central knob flanked by lotus pods surrounded by upright petals below eight 'flames' the larger bell 9 in. (22.8 cm.) high; the double- vajra 7 in. (17.6 cm.) long (3)