China
Chinese Buddhism

Ox horn
19th century
 Dimension: 90 x 45 x 35(mm) 3.54  x 1.77 x 1.38 (inches)
Idiophones – Struck Idiophones – Bells

A vintage Chinese Buddhism prayer bell/tool with beater.  This prayer bell/tool is hand carved from ox horn.  Represented here is the image of Shouxing (Shou Xing).  In Chinese mythology Shouxing was one of three stellar gods known collectively as Fulushou.  He was also called Nanji Laoren (“Old Man of the South Pole”).  Shouxing was revered as the god of longevity (shou), however there are no Shouxing temples.  Instead, birthday parties for elders provided an appropriate time to visit and bow before his statues and icons.  Shouxing is presented in this Chinese Buddhism prayer bell/tool as an elderly man with a long-bearded face, high/heavy eyebrows, and bald head. 

Reference: Shouxing | Chinese deity | Britannica