Cambodia, Battambang Provance
Dong Son culture

Bronze 
ca. 400 B.C.E. to 100 C.E
Length: 1.75 in
Idiophones – Struck Idiophones – Bells

This rare Bronze Age ritual bell was cast by the lost-wax method possibly by the Dong Son culture of Cambodia (ca. 400 BCE to 100 C.E.).   A variety of bronze ritual works including bells with human and animal figures were characteristic of the Bronze Age. The orb-shaped bell is cast with a bull’s head and horns in relief, with a large slit along the bottom and a single small bead/clapper inside. There is a large suspension tube on top along with suspension loops on each side.  Horizontal spiral lines are added for a textured pattern decoration.  This bell would likely have been used to decorate animal harnesses, probably buffalos to warn of their approach.  It is covered in areas of emerald- and russet-hued patina.

The original Vietnam people were the early Dong Son people.  They were known for bringing their sophisticated mining, smelting and casting skills from their Mongolian origins.  They have left a legacy of magnificent bronze statues and drums starting with the discovery of a huge number of bronze and other artifacts at the site of Dong Son on the banks of the Ma River in northern Vietnam.  Archaeologists believe that the bronze age culture originated in Vietnam and the discoveries made at excavation of further sites across South East Asia, including Cambodia and the Indo-Malaysian archipelago, show that as the culture spread local Neolithic stylistic elements were incorporated.  

Resource:  https://www.haivenu-vietnam.com/vietnam-culture.htm. – https://www.bada.org/object/dong-son-bells-cambodia-battambang-province