Elephant Bell, SE Asia

Large cast-metal bell, heavily oxidised to a near-black patina with extensive surface pitting and rust-like corrosion across the body; the bell has a rounded, slightly asymmetric profile with low-relief decorative moulding visible around the shoulder. It is suspended within a wooden collar frame constructed from two semicircular bamboo or rattan arches mounted on a flat rectangular base, the wood darkened with age and showing paint loss, cracking, and dust accumulation. The bell is retained in the frame by a leather strap and iron hardware, the leather now dried, cracked, and partially detached; a small flat circular lead seal stamped with raised script characters (appearing to be Southeast Asian script) is attached to the frame via a twisted twine cord.

Condition

Poor to fair — bell body heavily corroded and pitted; wooden frame aged with peeling finish, splits, and dust; leather retaining strap cracked and fragmenting; lead seal and twine cord intact.

Category

MILITARY AND COLLECTABLES

Delivery

Local pickup only