Buddhist Ritual Bell

Description

This Buddhist ritual bell is called the "five-pronged" bell due to the four prongs bending toward a central prong at the end of the handle. This shape is a vajra, or lightning bolt, a powerful and important symbol in esoteric Buddhism, which originated in India, spread across Asia, and was practiced in Korea.

Provenance

[]

Buddhist Ritual Bell

[]

1300s

Accession Number

1998.123

Medium

bronze; with incised designs

Dimensions

Overall: 17.8 x 6.6 cm (7 x 2 5/8 in.)

Classification

Metalwork

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mitsuru Tajima