Large Ritual Bell and Scepter

This is a large size of prayer bell (ghanta) and ritual sceptre (vajra) crafted in Nepal from 'bell metal'. 'Bell metal' is a term used in the Himalayas for many metal alloys used to make singing bowls, gongs, bells, and cymbals. Vajra is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond. The vajra is a ritual object with the symbolic nature of a diamond (it can cut any substance without being cut itself) and that of the thunderbolt (irresistible force).