I love collecting bells! My collection comprises bells from all over the world. Whenever I travel, I pick up bells as a memorabilia. I collect bells in every form, subject, shape, size and sound imaginable. The bells are in silver, brass, ceramic, glass, porcelain, pewter, crystal, bone china, papier mache', plastic, clay, etc.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Three Brass Meditation Bell
These bells were picked up in Katmandu, NEPAL during my honeymoon.
Bells can be made of anything from clay to wood to metal. Some bells are also decorative as well as percussive instrument. While it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the first bell came into being, we do know that they are some of the oldest man-made musical instruments. There are depictions of bells in stone tablets dating all the way back to the 4th century BC. In China, actual bells (which are considered to have spiritual powers) have been discovered dating back to the 5th century BC.
Bells can be made of anything from clay to wood to metal. Some bells are also decorative as well as percussive instrument. While it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the first bell came into being, we do know that they are some of the oldest man-made musical instruments. There are depictions of bells in stone tablets dating all the way back to the 4th century BC. In China, actual bells (which are considered to have spiritual powers) have been discovered dating back to the 5th century BC.
Chinese Brass Gong
This lovely brass gong produces a clear ring when struck with the small wooden hammer. A small drilled hole on the base of the wooden stand makes a holder for the hammer.
People in China believe that ringing the gong invites protection. An antique brass Chinese coin with a square hole in the middle & Chinese characters on one side is embedded on the base & represents abundance of wealth all year round. Traditionally, bells are sacred. The ancient civilizations of India, Sumer, China and Egypt all had bells.
People in China believe that ringing the gong invites protection. An antique brass Chinese coin with a square hole in the middle & Chinese characters on one side is embedded on the base & represents abundance of wealth all year round. Traditionally, bells are sacred. The ancient civilizations of India, Sumer, China and Egypt all had bells.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Turtles with dangling clappers
Green, Mustard & Brown Turtles with dangling clappers.
The movable arms, legs, head + tail, all 6 parts work as clappers. In CHINESE CULTURE, the turtle is sacred & the symbol of 10000 years of HAPPINESS and GREAT FORTUNE.
GREEN : The baby turtles represent new beginnings.
MUSTARD : The three stacked turtles on each other's back are significant of the family harmony. The baby turtles are seen supporting the head of the family, all working together as one special household.
BROWN :The baby turtles here are showing their sibling love.
The movable arms, legs, head + tail, all 6 parts work as clappers. In CHINESE CULTURE, the turtle is sacred & the symbol of 10000 years of HAPPINESS and GREAT FORTUNE.
GREEN : The baby turtles represent new beginnings.
MUSTARD : The three stacked turtles on each other's back are significant of the family harmony. The baby turtles are seen supporting the head of the family, all working together as one special household.
BROWN :The baby turtles here are showing their sibling love.
PUPPY MELODIES BELL
PUPPY MELODIES BELL by NAO -
FIGURAL BELL: The figure is the handle.
This is a limited edition piece- Hand finished to perfection by artisans of the city of Porcelain in VALENCIA, SPAIN.The inside of the bell is inscribed with the copywrited NAO trademark.
FIGURAL BELL: The figure is the handle.
This is a limited edition piece- Hand finished to perfection by artisans of the city of Porcelain in VALENCIA, SPAIN.The inside of the bell is inscribed with the copywrited NAO trademark.
A puppy is perched atop the bell and is begging for something! He has such realistic features! His colors are tan and and white. It has textured raised pattern of bones tied with little bows at the base. This bell is as cute as cute can be!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Black Bell by CHOKIN
JAPANESE ART OF CHOKIN :The images are created by etching pure copper & then gilding it with silver & gold.The engravings were originally created to decorate the armament of THE SAMURAI WARRIORS . This art form was handed down for over 800 yrs. 24 K gold edged - Made in JAPAN. The design on the bell is Ikebana on a flower cart.
Antique Brass Ghante [Handbell]
Ritual handbells ring with a clear sound and usually have a figure fixed on the handle. This figural bell has a figure of Lord Hanuman, in a standing position with praying hands. Hanuman, is the monkey general who, in Hindu mythology, led the army that helped the protagonist Lord Rama rescue his wife, Sita, from the antagonist Ravana.
We had this bell at home for years. My mother used it for performing pujas at home.
We had this bell at home for years. My mother used it for performing pujas at home.
White LIMOGES Bell with 22 K gold accents
Picked it up from Dubai.This is a limited edition piece. The inside of the bell is inscribed with the copywrited Limoges trademark. In 1768, KAOLIN, a rock rich in fine, white clay which is used for making porcelain, was discovered at Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, near Limoges. Limoges porcelain is a generic term for porcelain produced in Limoges. Established in the nineteenth century as the premier manufacturing city of porcelain in France.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Blue Cloisonne' Bell with long handle
Cloisonne' enamelware originated in BEIJING over 500 yrs ago during THE YUAN DYNASTY. Blue is a dominant colour used for enameling. Bala picked this bell from Hong Kong.
The inside of the bell is enameled solid aqua. At the tip of the handle is a five - petaled light coloured flower. Green scallops decorate the base of the rim of the bell.
Monday, July 26, 2010
A : MILLENIUM BELL 2000
It is made from fine English bone china by AYNSLEY, United Kingdom.
This is a limited edition celebration bell to commemorate the MILLENIUM 2000. The inside of the bell is inscribed with the copyrighted AYNSLEY trademark. The Aynsley family have been producing fine bone china since 1775 in the UK.
Oriental Porcelain Bell
The bell has a design of a Hummingbird sucking nectar from the flower. This bell is Japanese in origin & is from OTAGIRI. It has a gold chain with a porcelain clapper. Design goes completely around the bell. One word to describe this bell is 'exotic'.
SILENT NIGHT BELL - with blue accenting the bottom rim of the bell.
The origin of bells is shrouded in the mist of antiquity. The sound of a bell can express great joy, sound a warning or danger, be used in time of despair, stop the rain, keep evil spirits at bay, invoke curses, lift spells, in battle, in worship..... Bells hold an honoured place in religous ceremony. They are symbols of paradise and the voice of god or the voice that speaks to the spirits and gods. They are found amongst all cultures of the world.
' HOLIDAY LIGHTS ' Santa Claus Bell
The bell has the design of Father Christmas pulling his sledge. It is believed that ringing the bell frightens away evil spirits.
There is no record of when the bell was invented. They have been used by different civilizations in religious rites even before the development of a written language. They are mentioned in Exodus as part of Hebrew worship and they are shown decorating the robes of priests.
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