99 - BRONZE BELL , NEPAL 18TH CENTURY

BRONZE BELL , NEPAL 18TH CENTURY Dimensions: Height 19,5 cm Wide 14 cm Depth 14 cm Weight: 2519 grams A substantial cast bronze bell with a broad flaring body and an unusually sculptural arched handle. The handle rises between paired, leaf-like side elements to a pointed finial, while a row of small bosses marks its lower edge. Beneath it, raised lotus and beaded borders encircle the shoulder, and further ornamental bands articulate the transition to the wide mouth. The warm bronze surface is interspersed with greenish oxidation and darker deposits, especially in the intricate upper section. A glimpse of the clapper beneath the rim underscores the object's purpose as a sounding instrument. In Nepalese religious practice, bells are sounded during worship, prayer and offerings, their clear resonance helping to define the sacred moment. The bell is also a powerful symbol in Himalayan Buddhist ritual, where sound can suggest both the fleeting nature of experience and the insight that penetrates it. The broad body and richly modelled handle combine ceremonial presence with practical form. The piece is notable for its weight, confident casting and contrasting zones of plain metal and ornament.