PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Taiwan

Vajra bell, a symbol of wisdom and virtue, is one of the primary ritual symbols in Tibetan Buddhism. The three constituent parts of a Vajra bell are the body, the handle, and the clapper. This lot is shaped like a large temple bell and cast in a copper alloy, with a round mouth and even rim. Both the top and the sides of the body are embellished with elaborate decorative patterns.

This lot is very rare and precious. Its lower middle part consists of a Manjushri Bodhisattva head and three Buddha heads, while the topmost element is a hollow radial sphere. The body and handle of Vajra bells are usually separately cast and then soldered or riveted together. The handle’s shape looks like one end or half of a vajra pestle, which is why vajra bells are generally considered to be derived from vajra pestles.