Chinese bells

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by Potteryplease, Oct 1, 2023.

  1. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    These 5 bells came from the crazy estate sale of a former antique dealer. The old tag on them said that the dragons were sterling silver. I'm not sure how anyone would do that, short of 'painting' with molten metal.

    Are they brass? Are they Chinese? How old are they? Any terms for searching you'd recommend?

    Thank you as always!

    IMG_8031.jpeg IMG_8032.jpeg IMG_8033.jpeg IMG_8034.jpeg IMG_8035.jpeg

    They measure 7", 6", 5", 4", and 3". I had to replace the hanging mechanism on the smallest one, since it was missing.
     
    Houseful, johnnycb09 and wlwhittier like this.
  2. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    I've seen bells like these used outside as "rain bells." A little like wind chimes.
     
  3. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    You can achieve that molten look with 'cire perdu' or lost wax casting.
     
    komokwa and Potteryplease like this.
  4. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

    Years ago, I had the same set. It had a small long handled mallet and a dragon shaped wall mounted hanger.
     
  5. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    The sounds they make are lovely. And they harmonize together.
     
  6. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

  7. Ce BCA

    Ce BCA Well-Known Member

    These aren't something I'm familiar with, but the stylisation / font type of the characters and use of Fu, Shou etc is typical of items 1970's or later.
     
  8. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Many small details show, to me, their age is early 20th C or before. Note the hanging hardware, acid-etched design, an' especially fine, uniformly hand-done hammering. Those bells aren't new, imo.
     
    Any Jewelry and Potteryplease like this.
  9. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    u can ring my bell......;)
     
    Potteryplease likes this.
  10. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Yes, an' yes.
    I'll bet on pre-republic...mid to late Qing. bicbw.
     
    Potteryplease likes this.
  11. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the comments @wlwhittier. I appreciate your help, as always.
     
    wlwhittier likes this.
  12. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Generous, good sir...thank you!
     
    Potteryplease likes this.
  13. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

    Potteryplease likes this.
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