Japanese Antique “FOUR DRAGON & TRIGRAMS” Hand Cast Gilt Bronze Temple Bell
$1,195.00
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A superb casting with traces of its original gold gilt patina- the first we have seen
Here’s a rare treasure from Japan and an unusual find- an excellent candidate to accent your indoor gallery or outdoor garden space.
This is an unusual antique bronze cast medium to large-scale temple bell complete featuring unusual motifs of “Four Dragons And Trigrams” finely cast on its sides. The Trigrams or Bagua are eight symbols used in Taoist cosmology to represent the fundamental principles of reality, seen as a range of eight interrelated concepts. Each consists of three lines, each line either “broken” or “unbroken”, respectively representing yin or yang. Due to their tripartite structure, they are often referred to as Eight Trigrams in English. The relationships between the trigrams are represented in two arrangements, the Primordial (先天八卦), “Earlier Heaven” or “Fu Xi” bagua (伏羲八卦), and the Manifested (後天八卦), “Later Heaven,” or “King Wen” bagua. The trigrams correspond to astronomy, astrology, geography, geomancy, anatomy, the family, and elsewhere.
This bell was sourced from an old Southern Japan collection and were one of a small group of these rare bells de-accessioned by a Southern Japanese temple community.
It dates to the Taisho period and displays a fine old patina.
It comes complete with a striker which we will include.
These bells were often commissioned by wealthy families and donated as sacred gifts to temples and shrines on behalf of their family or in honor of a special family member. They may have also been used for utilitarian purposes such as summoning family members in private homes.
This bell possesses a beautiful original old gold gilt patina which supports and highlights its generations old temple life.
Dimensions: Large 9.5 inches tall from top of bell to the bottom and 4.5 inches diameter.
Notice the original authentic patina inside the bottom appropriate to its age.
Tone: When gently struck it gives a nice ring. We will include a complimentary striker to enhance your immediate enjoyment.
History of Japan’s temple bells:
Buddhist bells known as tsurigane (hanging bells) or great bells are large bells found in Buddhist temples throughout Japan, used to summon the monks to prayer. Smaller bells are also used for other utilitarian purposes such as summoning for a meal.
Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity. All our Asian works of art are accompanied by our lifetime guarantee of authenticity.
We are members of the North American Japanese Garden Association (NAJGA) specializing for ten years now in old and authentic Japanese garden ornaments.
Item Details
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