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Dong Son Bronze Bells, Group of 6, circa 3rd - 1st century BCE, Vietnam

About the Item

A highly decorative group of six Dong Son Culture cast bronze bells, circa 3rd to 1st century BCE, modern day Vietnam. The bells of various sizes, shapes, and designs. All with heavy and attractive patinas. Most with cast relief decorations to the body. All with a looped canon to the top for suspension. Some still retaining clappers. Bell 1 (back row left): Tall bell with sloped sides. The crown and rim with rope pattern designs. The body cast with designs of water buffalo and horns. With an overall green/gray patina. Heavily encrusted and patina. H: 5.5" Bell 2 (back row 2nd from left): Elegantly proportioned bell with a tall and wide canon loop. Simple top pattern decoration to the crown. No decoration to the body. Nice variegated patina. Small dent to the body. Clapper present, but fused to body. H: 4" Bell 3 (back row 3rd from left): Wide bell with flat back. Crown and rim with rope pattern design. A large high relief image of a stylized water buffalo head to the body. Overall heavy dark brow/green patina. H: 4.5" Bell 4 (back row right): Wide body bell with flat back. Rope pattern design to the rim. The body with spiraling "S" shaped patterns in high relief. With a very attractive mottled red cuprite and green malachite patina. H: 4.25" Bell 5 (front left): Small rattle bell of drop shape with a large canon to the top. Bulging body pronounced ridge. The wide crescent shaped opening with rope pattern designs. The loose ball rattle still present. Attractive overall gray/green patina with some cuprite. H: 2" Bell 5 (front right): Small highly decorated bell with overall rope pattern design with a narrow band of spiral forms around the center. The crown with a stylized water buffalo head (horns broken). Overall gray/green patina. Clapper present, but fused to body. H: 2.5"
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Width: 3 in (7.62 cm)Depth: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 6
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Cast
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 3rd - 1st century BCE
  • Condition:
    Repaired: One bell with a small plugged hole. Possible other minor repairs/restorations. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. In overall good condition for age. Two of the bells with slightly flattened backs. Heavy encrustations to some bells. Some missing clappers, others with fused clappers.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894741245952

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