A rare and important Qianlong period gilt bronze ritual bell.of slightly flattened barrel form, surmounted by a cloud-form handle flanked by two arches and above a smaller square handle, cast to body with four vertical panels, the two at sides showing dragons and the two above striking areas one displaying Qianlong banian zhi the opposing with three characters beinanlu. bases and framed with lingzhi, topmost horizontal band centered by phoenix and dragon turtle verso, five lower horizontal bands alternate rows of raised bosses and flames or waves corresponding to the phoenix or dragon turtle sides respectively, the flat top showing two phoenix and two cranes among clouds. 10 1/4"H x 8 3/4" W x 7" D