Jumat, 03 Januari 2014

How To Identify Authentic Antique Singing Bowls

By Harriett Crosby


Singing bowls are different from standard bells in that they are inverted at the top. They resemble a bowl because the opening is at the top. A mallet or a wand is usually rubbed against the inside of the bowl to produce sound. Originally, these bells were used by Buddhists during religious events. Nowadays, they are used in different parts of the world in meditation practices, alternate healthcare, relaxation as well as religious rites.

Historically, these bowls were used in spiritual events as an accomplishment. Their exact origin is not very clear. Some people insist that they were first used in meditation while others say they were used for spiritual transformation. There are no books that explain how these bells came to be but they are thought to have been around since the 8th century. They were made throughout Asia.

When the wand is rubbed against the inside of a bowl a sound is produced. The wand also referred to as a strike is crafted from wood. It is covered using rubber or leather. Different materials are used to make this kind of bells. They come in various shapes and sizes. There are many varieties of these antiques in the market today. It is hard to find the original bowls that were made in the traditional times.

Bowls are important for their historical value as well as their sound and quality. If you want to buy an original piece you need to know tips of identifying one in the market. You should have knowledge on how the authentic bowl looks like. It is only by buying an original piece that you will get value for your hard earned money.

One way of identifying genuine antiques is by their appearance. Antique bells have a plain and simple appearance. They have few carvings and designs. They have decorations that are abstract such as circles and lines on their surface. If you find complicated designs chances are high that the bowl is new. Watch out for items that are made to appear rough or hard in order to fool customers that they are old. Original bells are about 10 to 12 inches.

The material used can also tell you whether the bells are original or not. In the old times a bowl was made from 5 to 7 metals. This included precious metals such as iron, silver and gold. Most of the antiques have streaks or spots because the alloys were imperfectly mixed. Modern bells are made from one metal. This is usually brass or bronze because they are not very expensive.

Sound quality is also an important factor to look out for. The original pieces have excellent sound quality that cannot be easily matched. As a bowl gets older the sounds gets better. Pieces that have been around for a long time have a warm and rich sound. The harmonic overtones are strong.

If you find that a bowl is flat and disharmonious then chances are high that it is not an antique. It is not easy to identify authentic singing bowls. However, with these tips it will be much easier to identify those that have existed since time in memorial.




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