Tibetan Bronze Prayer Bell

This small bronze bell is the lower half of a Tibetan ceremonial bell called a dril-bu. This example is missing its handle, which would have been shaped like a diamond scepter, or vajra, another ritual object symbolic of compassion. Used together during Tibetan Buddhist ritual recitation, the dril-bu bell and vajra scepter represent dual aspects of Buddhist practice: method and wisdom, intuition and compassion. The bell itself is symbolic of the comprehension of emptiness and the feminine principle. The sound of the bell is believed to drive away evil spirits and protect consecrated areas. This bell is cast of bronze with low relief decoration of mythical creatures and various Buddhist symbols, including the conch shell, lotus flower, and jewel of desire.

From the collection of Frances and Gary Comer.