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Bell with Vajra Handle
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
The vajra and bell as a pair are an important combination of tantric implements. When used together, the vajra is held in the right hand and stands for tantric method; the bell refers to wisdom and is held in the left hand. When a tantric master holds the vajra and bell, he takes on the guise of an enlightened being who teaches and models tantric methods with wisdom and understanding.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineBell with Vajra Handle, 900s. Indonesia, Java, 10th century. Bronze; diameter: 5.7 cm (2 1/4 in.); overall: 15.1 cm (5 15/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin, 1989.355
