Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty coin silver ornamental bell with carnelian beads. pdvs594

Antique Chinese Qing dynasty coin-silver ornamental bell. With carnelian bead, green cord and pang knot. The clapper is another carnelian bead that just peeks out at the bottom of the bell.  The bell is 1-3/4" x 1". This type of ornament would have been part of a larger ritual or ceremonial piece during the dynasty period. Ornaments and amulets from the Qing Dynasty were reassembled for export in the mid-1900's in China. This bell has a quiet unobtrusive chime and would work well as a pendant.

It was believed that sound of a bell could repel evil spirits.

This is an antique piece from the dynasty that fell in 1911. In the 1970s to the mid 1980s, Chinese workers added beads, cords and chains to these Qing Dynasty artifacts. For the most part the beads and knots attached to this amulet were added during this period. This piece came from the estate of a dealer who acquired many of these artifacts. They have become increasingly rare and today, some reproductions of much poorer quality are being produced.