The present lot epitomizes the excellent workmanship from the early 18th century. Historically, the main function of bronze bell was for musical performance, but as society developed, the musical bells gradually became feudal sacrificial vessels and important symbols of power and rank of the ruling class. The number of bells that an individual is allowed to possess was guided according to the book The Ritual of Zhou, where it specified that only "the emperor could have bells on the four sides of his palace, while a duke or prince could have bells on the three sides of his residence, a minister could have bells on two sides of his residence and an official could have bells on one side of his residence." This specification was clearly indicative of the rigid hierarchy of power that was practiced at the time. These bulbous bells with their imposing shapes and prolonged sound were widely utilized in Buddhism and Taoism. They also subsequently entered the Imperial court and became connotative of Imperial power. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Imperial court and temples would utilized these bronze chime bells in important Imperial ceremonies.