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Wooden Bells

Wooden bells are common in many parts of Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, and Malaysia. Their use can be functional (hung around the neck of water buffalo for farming), aesthetic (hung as decoration), or religious (hung in Buddhist temples for worship). They come in a wide variety of sizes and have many different names. For instance, in Bali, where the bells are hung around the necks of water buffaloes, the smallest bells are named keroncongan and the larger bells are known as okokan, gebyug, or gerumbungan. The largest buffalo bells, found in Jembrana, Bali, are named gembeng. Wooden bells are usually constructed from one solid piece of wood, with one or more wooden clappers attached within the hollowed cavity. When used in temples, wooden bells are sometimes elaborately carved or decorated.

(1993-02-32)

Large wooden temple bell from Bali, dating from ca. 1910. Measures 2 feet in length, 20 inches in height, and 9 inches at widest point in width.
Donated by the Celeste and Emil Richards Estate.

(1993-06-12)

Ornate carved and painted wooden bell with two clappers wrapped in cloth. This type of bell was used in ancient Thai funeral processions. Measures 17 inches in length, 6 inches in height, and 5 inches in width at the widest point.

Donated by the Celeste and Emil Richards Estate.

(1993-06-13)

Bell fashioned from the knot of a hardwood tree. Measures 12 inches in length, 6 inches in height, and 9 inches in width.

Donated by the Celeste and Emil Richards Estate.