Some bells in a curiosity lot.

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by Miscstuff, Jan 12, 2021.

  1. Miscstuff

    Miscstuff Sometimesgetsitright

    These three bells were in a what I call a curiosity auction lot. Bit of old, bit of new pretending to be old and outright fakes pretending to be old. These bells do seem to have some genuine age though.

    1. A spiky bell commonly used to cure constipation. Seen it somewhere Asia I think.
    It looks shiny like someone has either conserved it with lacquer or some faker boot polished it to look old. Scratched some white corrosion and revealed brass underneath a thick layer of "patina".
    2/ looks like a cow bell with genuine patina and wear on the ring. Not sure about cows though as it is a bit small.
    3/ The winged angel / demon bell. Think it's an Asian god / demon but not sure which.

    Data
    1/ 16.7cm High 4.3cm Dia 0.2kg
    2/ 8.7cm High 6.5cm Dia 0.19Kg
    3/ 21.5cm High 9.2cm Dia 0.6Kg

    Thoughts on age and origin Please.:)
    1a.jpg 1b.jpg 2.jpg 3a.jpg 3b.jpg
     
  2. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    They are probably all Indian bells. They are used for Hindu puja or another religious purposes. Puja or Pooja is ritual cleansing and paying respect to a deity or spiritual force.
    :wideyed:
    It is a ghanta, used in Tantric inspired rituals. The ghanta represents feminine energy and wisdom.
    You usually see the Himalayan Buddhist type, with closed prongs. This one with the open prongs is more Hindu. They are used in all sorts of rituals to increase purity and wisdom during the ritual, and to invite positive energy. These are usually used by priests or priestesses.
    Some forms of Hinduism have priestesses. In Indonesian Hinduism a Brahmin man can only become a priest if he is married to a priestess. A woman can become a priestess without being married to a priest.
    If a Hindu priest's bell is touched by a lay person, it is considered defiled, and will be discarded.

    If you want to cure constipation with it, go ahead.:D
    What you saw in Asia was probably a healing ritual, which just happened to be for a patient who suffered from constipation. But using a ghanta works on a subtle or spiritual level.
    It is commonly referred to as a temple bell. It can also be used for puja. I agree, a bit small for a cow, but it works for puja.:)
    It is Garuda, the mythical eagle of Hindu myth. He is also popular in some forms of Buddhism. The bell was also used for puja. These can be used by priests or priestesses, but not exclusively so.
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2021
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