Central Asia, India, ca. 19th century CE. A solid bronze bell, its handle adorned with the seven-headed Hindu nagaraja Shesha, the king of all nagas thought to be one of the primal beings of creation, and Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi resting beneath. Shesha, according to the Puranas, is believed to hold every planet of the universe in his numerous hoods. He is also said to sing and praise the glories of Vishnu from each of his mouths. Another name for Shesha is Ananta Shesha which generally translates as endless our boundless Shesha. Here Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi rest on Shesha, as Shesha is believed to be both a servant and a manifestation of the god Vishnu. Bells like this example traditionally have been used in Hindu ceremonies and are called ghantas. They are usually rung at the beginning of puja ceremonies, as practitioners believe their sound is at once pleasing to the gods and will keep evil spirits at bay. A lovely bell with rich symbolism. Makes a sweet sound to boot! Size: 3.375" W at widest x 8.75" H (8.6 cm x 22.2 cm).
Provenance: Ex-Paul and Louise Bernheimer, Cambridge, MA and Laguna Woods, CA, acquired before 1980.
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#111872
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品相报告
Intact and generally excellent with minor denting on the bell and casting flaws on the nagaraja. Bell functions well.