Japanese wind chime? instrument? Dinner bell?

Hi everyone,

I came across this just recently and I really have no clue what it is. The moths on it makes me think it's japanese. My Dad thinks it's an instrument because of the nice sound it makes and the dings on the outside where it looks like it's been struck. His friend thinks it's a wind chime of some sorts. The string isn't original, I added that just so I could see how it works? Can anyone help me identity it? Thanks.

 

let's see the underside !
Many markings there....?

 

It would probably also help to know their sizes.

 

Hi komokwa, there are no markings of any kind. Here is a picture of the underside of one dome.

 

Biggest is 7 1/8
Middle is 5 7/8
Smallest is 4 7/8

It looks to have a lacquer finish over bronze.

 

I think they may have hung in a row and not together as that's a really thin hook on the inside.
It would support a clapper though, so I'm thinking temple bells or even cow bells !

 

Oh neat, can these be dated?

 

I've been looking, but have not come up with anything conclusive yet....

 

Thanks for your help, I've been looking all day myself. They're neat, I like the moths on them.

 

I think what you may have there are Meditation Bells. They would have had a wooden "stick" possibly covered with animal hide on one end which would have been run around the inside of the bell to start it resonating. If you strike it, does the sound seem to keep going for an unusually long time?

 

Nested temple bells, Chinese.



http://www.icollector.com/Bronze-TEMPLE-BELL-SET_i10262568

 

Woah! Thats exactly what I have then. Chinese huh? That's neat. Too bad I don't know the age or what temple they came out of.

 

Here's what I found when looking up the symbolism of a moth.

 

Well I had the temple bells right......at least.
Good find 889 !!!