China
Chinese

Blue and white porcelain
ca. 19th century
Height: 10.25 in; Width: 7.25 in; Depth: 6.25 in
Idiophones – Struck Directly – Bells

A Chinese blue-and-white porcelain Qing dynasty Bo (ritual bell), possibly made in Jingdezhen. This is a Buddhist ritual bell that has a stylized, symmetrical shape suspension loop at the top with 18 bosses and a winged horse motif on each side. There are floral motifs painted between the rows of bosses which are also divided at the center of each side by a rectangle. On one side, this rectangle features a column of Chinese characters.

In Buddhist iconography the winged horse is symbolic of energy and effort in the practice dharma. It also symbolizes the air or prana which runs through the channels of the body and is the vehicle of the mind. The winged horse is also known as the symbol of the throne of the Tathagatha Ratnasambhava and carries the chariot of Surya, the sun god.

Bells with clappers inside are called ling, while clapperless bells are known as zhong.  Temple bells usually assume the form of chimes in China.