Sound is crucial to Buddhist ritual. It helps to attract the audience’s attention, concentrate the mind and purify the space. This finial once adorned a monk’s staff. The jangling of the rings signaled his presence and encouraged the people around him to give alms. A loose ball inside the bell, standing on a tripod base, rings when the bell is moved.
c. 800 - c. 1000
Bronze (metal)
24.0 x 9.0 x 9.0 cm
AK-RAK-1995-5
Image and text courtesy of Rijksmuseum, 2019
Where you'll find this
Rijksmuseum
Permanent collection