Ancient Near East, Persian Empire, ca. late 17th to 18th century CE. A cast-bronze bell of an open, hemispherical form with a thick body that has a central perforation meant to hold a hammer or means of suspension. A petite, low relief ring surrounds the top of the central perforation, and three pairs of incised, tightly grouped rings adorn the top. Bells like this example were typically used in open temples where the sonorous tones would easily echo and fill the space with sound. Attractive mottled layers of brown, russet, and green patina cover the entire composition. Size: 5.125" Diameter x 2.125" H (13 cm x 5.4 cm)

Provenance: private Redding, California, USA collection; ex-Los Angeles, California, USA collection, from the 1970s to 1980s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#152654

Original hammer and suspension finial missing as shown. Two stable fissures stemming from rim, minor abrasions and encrustations, and very slight bending to overall form of rim, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits and great patina throughout.