Ghanta Bell, Bronze, Internal Clapper, South India, Asia, 18th Century, Shivaite Cult

"Large Ghanta bell with internal clapper, Shivaite cult, South India, late 18th century" Bell with internal clapper made up of two distinct elements, the body and its handle. The latter is topped with an elegant figuration, Garuda between two monkeys, the three, hands joined (Hanuman?) often represented in Shivaite iconography. Garuda is sheltered by Naga, the serpent has several heads raised behind him. (Buddha is represented sheltered by a cobra, giant of the elements while he was sitting in meditation before enlightenment). The presence of Naga is there to remind us that he guards nature and its treasures and is the symbol of immortality and fertility. The representation of Naga and Garuda is also the representation of the two incarnations of Vishnu, the protector, God of the stability of the worlds, savior and protector of humans, he maintains life and creation. The handle is fitted on the top of the bell body and the internal clapper is fixed at its lower end which crosses the thickness of the bell. At two thirds of its height, the skirt is enclosed in a disc, a characteristic found on most Hindu ritual bells. The bottom of the skirt opens into a flared corolla. The bell and the handle were cast in bronze. Dimensions: Total height: 29.5 cm. Width of the bell: 11 cm, weight: 915 grs. Which is a large size for this type of object. Marks and inscriptions: Above and below this disc are engraved several rows of concentric circles. ## Between the two lower rows are inscribed characters in Telugu, a Dravidian language spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh but barely legible and mostly veiled. Context of use: This bell is used by priests celebrating Shivaite rituals. The cult of Shiva is one of the major currents of the Hindu tradition. The rites generally take place in a temple, the priest recites the shloka (verses chanted during the religious service) and shakes this bell according to a precise ceremony. The sound of these bells is different from what can be heard from other types of bells. The bell associated with it (Ghanta) symbolizes the knowledge of the emptiness of all phenomena as well as the transience of things. The Musée de la musique, Phylarmonie de Paris (cité de la musique: 221 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris) keeps in its collections two Ghanta bells of lesser importance in size and quality. The Orient, or oriental world, designates in geography a cultural concept mainly used by Europeans. Overall, the term refers to "areas located to the East of Europe", Asia FREE SHIPPING FOR FRANCE 0€ / EUROPE 15€ / WORLD 25€ For any information, you can contact me at 06 13 36 09 30 or by email at winsteinprovence@gmail.com www.winsteinprovence.com ## Texts and photos Winstein, rights reserved REF WINSTEIN 508