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Bảo tàng lịch sử Quốc gia

Vietnam National Museum of History

10/05/2018 07:44 1605
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Bell collection, bronze, Nguyen dynasty, 19th – 20th centuries AD

Bronze bells are among instruments that closely attach religious and belief activities of the Viet people. During the Nguyen dynasty, bronze bells continued to develop on the basis of those in previous dynasties of the Tran, the Later Le and the Tay Son. The bells have similar forms which include a handle decorated with motif of two back-to-back bo lao (the dragon’s second son) creating a semi-circle, the mouths of the bo lao either open wide or keep a pearl. The bell’s body is round, large and empty, the mouth is flared and divided into four sections by lines in relief. The four trapezoids on the upper part are carved and cast with inscriptions reflecting the bell’s name and age, and the names of the people who contributed to the construction and repair of the pagoda and to the casting of the bell. The four trapezoids on the lower part are usually decorated with the four sacred animals. The bell is thus a precious and trusted document which helps to further understand the economic, cultural, and social activities, especially the decorative art of the Nguyen dynasty.


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