Tuesday, December 24, 2013

How To Identify 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.

Since these bells are valued for their historical value, sound and quality it is important that you know how to identify the genuine ones. You need to have enough knowledge to be able to identify something that is authentic. The only way the bells will be worth your money is if they are genuine.

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.

The material used can also tell you whether the bells are original or not. In the old times a bowl was made from 5 to 7 metals. This included precious metals such as iron, silver and gold. Most of the antiques have streaks or spots because the alloys were imperfectly mixed. Modern bells are made from one metal. This is usually brass or bronze because they are not very expensive.

Another parameter that should guide you to buying original antiques is the sound quality. Quality of sound from ancient antiques cannot be matched. This is because as the bowl gets older the sound quality increases. Classics antiques have a warm, rich and mellow sound. They have very strong harmonic overtones.

If you find that a bowl is flat and disharmonious then chances are high that it is not an antique. It is not easy to identify authentic singing bowls. However, with these tips it will be much easier to identify those that have existed since time in memorial.




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