Wednesday, 1 January 2014

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, bowls were associated with spiritual functions. Though it is not clear where the first kind of bells came from, some people argue that they were designed for use while meditating. Others say that spiritual transformation was the reason they were crafted. No books have information about their origin. However, it is said that they have been around in Asia since the beginning of the 8th century.

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.

These bells are preserved for their quality and historical value. It is important to know how to find the genuine antiques that were made a long time ago. To identify something that is authentic you need to know what to look for. If you can identify the original and genuine bells you will be getting value for your money.

The easiest way to identify original antiques is by appearance. A bowl that was made in the old days will have a simple and plain look. It will have few designs and carvings. The abstract decorations will include lines and circles. If the design looks rather complicated you should know that it is a new bowl. There are many items that are made to be rough and hard in order to fool unsuspecting customers. An original bowl is 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.

The sound quality can also help you to identify an original antique. You cannot match the sound produced by an ancient antique. As a bowl gets older quality of sound improves. The genuine bowls have a very rich, mellow and warm sound. This is because they have strong harmonic overtones.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment