Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) / 1300s
Buddhist Ritual Bell
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Buddhist Ritual Bell as metalwork (Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) · 1300s).
Called a vajra in Sanskrit, this implement is used in Buddhist rituals meant to destroy ignorance.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this metalwork as bronze; with incised designs.
The museum's collection notes: This Buddhist ritual bell is called the "five-pronged" bell due to the four prongs bending toward a central prong at the end of the handle. This shape is a vajra , or lightning bolt, a powerful and important symbol in esoteric Buddhism, which originated in India, spread across Asia, and was practiced in Korea.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtBuddhist Ritual BellOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.