29.12.13

Ways Of Identifying Authentic Antique Singing Bowls

By Harriett Crosby


Singing bowls are a kind of bell that is inverted at the top. Because the opening is located at the top they appear like a bowl. Sound is produced when a wand or a mallet is rubbed against the inside causing a vibration. Originally they were used in religious functions by Buddhists. Today, they are utilized all over the world for religious rites, alternate healthcare, meditation practices, relaxation as well as personal well being.

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.

A bowl produces a humming sound when the wand is rubbed inside it. Wood is used to make the mallet which is also known as a striker. Leather and rubber are then used to cover the wand. Several materials are used to make these antiques. They exist in different sizes and shapes. There are different types of bells in the market today. Some have existed for a very long time and others are new.

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.

You can also check the material that is used to construct the bowl. Traditionally, about 5 to 7 metals were used. Precious metals like gold, iron and silver were incorporated. Most of the original pieces have clear spots of one material because the alloy was not mixed in the right way. Modern pieces are made from one material because it is expensive to make alloys.

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.

You can tell a modern bowl by its poor sound quality. The sound will be flat and disharmonious. Though it is not easy to know the genuine singing bowls, you can use the above tips as well as the price to make the process easier.




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