Chinese bells

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!



They measure 7", 6", 5", 4", and 3". I had to replace the hanging mechanism on the smallest one, since it was missing.

 

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

 

You can achieve that molten look with 'cire perdu' or lost wax casting.

 

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

 

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

 

So these musta been mass-produced?

These ones online are only $1400!!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2930194287...MI4MCu0aTVgQMVrtHCBB3ZrQU_EAQYASABEgIhJfD_BwE

 

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.

 

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.

 

u can ring my bell......

 

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

 

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

 

Generous, good sir...thank you!

 

They looked nice and we enjoyed them. I sold them via a garage sale for $20 - $30, about what I remember paying at a sale years earlier. It never crossed my mind to look google it.