Picture details

Last modified: 2019-05-06 10:10:06

Amulet figure pendant bronze BUDDHA bells cast in Cambodia, 13,th to 16,th century.

The internal Bell symbolizes the reading of Mantras or Satras.
- weight: approx. 55 g.
- height: 4.4 cm.
- base diameter: 2 cm. approx.

Use of bronze-casting began in Cambodia sometime between 1,500 and 1,000 BCE. It is widely assumed that this technology was introduced to Southeast Asia through contact with the Chinese, but the possibility of independent development of bronze casting in Southeast Asia has yet to be conclusively ruled out. Whatever the case, bronze-casting had become a major industry throughout mainland Southeast Asia by 500 CE - at which time bronze was used to make a wide range of tools, weapons, ritual objects and ornaments.

After Indian political and religious ideas began permeating Cambodia (around the time of Christ), a tradition of casting bronze Hindu and Buddhist divinities emerged. This tradition reached its pinnacle of output and skill during the Angkor period and demonstrates the level of mastery which Khmer bronze artists achieved.