Monday, December 23, 2013

Tips On Identifying Authentic Antique Singing Bowls

By Harriett Crosby


Singing bowls are inverted and this makes them different from other bells. Since the opening is found at the top part the appearance resembles that of a bowl. Vibration produces sound whenever a wand rubs against the inside surface of the bowl. Traditionally, the bowl was found in religious functions. It was used by Buddhists. Today, these kinds of bells are used in different corners of the world for relaxation, religious rites, and alternate healthcare.

Traditionally, the bells were used only in spiritual ceremonies. It is not clear how they came to being but some people insist they were used for spiritual transformation purposes. Others argue that they were designed for use while meditating. There is no documented evidence of where they originated from but they are said to have existed since the 8th century. They were used widely in Asia.

When the wand is rubbed against the inside of a bowl a sound is produced. The wand also referred to as a strike is crafted from wood. It is covered using rubber or leather. Different materials are used to make this kind of bells. They come in various shapes and sizes. There are many varieties of these antiques in the market today. It is hard to find the original bowls that were made in the traditional times.

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.

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.

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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