Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Tips On 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, 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.

These bells produce a humming sound when they are rubbed using a wand. The wand which is also known as a striker is made of wood. It is then wrapped using leather or rubber. The bowls are made from different materials. They are made in different shapes and sizes. Today there are many varieties of these bells in the market. Some have been made recently while others are ancient.

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.

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.

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.

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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