Items Similar to Chinese Lacquered Buddhist Fish Bell, c. 1800
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5
Chinese Lacquered Buddhist Fish Bell, c. 1800
$780
£589.33
€675.19
CA$1,088.35
A$1,186.25
CHF 627.16
MX$14,280.19
NOK 7,960.22
SEK 7,297.89
DKK 5,043.71
About the Item
Sculptural and abstract, this curious wooden fish is a 19th-century Buddhist woodblock from western China. Known simply as "wooden fish" (mùyú), these temple bells were used by Buddhist monks as percussive instruments to keep rhythm while chanting or reciting texts.
Because fish were thought to never sleep, the sound of the fish bell symbolized wakefulness and inspired rapt attention to Buddhist teachings. Displayed on a custom steel mount as a storied artifact, this antique wooden fish is wonderfully textured with a rich patina and faded traces of the original red lacquer accents.
Additional Dimensions:
Fish: 6.75"W x 5.75"D x 8"H
Base: 5"W x 4"D
- Dimensions:Height: 11.75 in (29.85 cm)Width: 6.75 in (17.15 cm)Depth: 5.75 in (14.61 cm)
- Style:Primitive (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c. 1800
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: YUN02961stDibs: LU820048019652
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1997
1stDibs seller since 2006
1,752 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Chicago, IL
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllChinese Polychrome Harmony Fish, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this large koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. Much of t...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Pine
Grand Chinese Qing Dynasty Village Bell, circa 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This lovely Qing-dynasty bell once pealed in a Chinese village, sounding out in celebration or giving notice of important events. Expertly forged, the cast-iron bell is detailed with characters in intricate relief, and its exaggerated scallop rim is traced with oversized rivets. Frosted with snow or lit from within by flickering candles, this sculptural bell takes on a magical presence in the winter...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Iron
Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artist-made koi is a traditional symbol of harmony and wealth. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. The scales ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Pine
Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. And b...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Pine
Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved from reclaimed wood, this rustic koi sculpture recreates early 20th-century Chinese folk art designs. The fish is carved with a squat, rounded body and finished with colo...
Category
20th Century Chinese Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Pine
Chinese Polychrome Harmony Fish, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this large koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. Much of t...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Pine
You May Also Like
18th Century Qing Dynasty Fish Shaped Cricket Holder
Located in Incline Village, NV
Uniquely fabulous and highly unusual item for those seeking something different; this 18th century "cricket holder" from the Qing Dynasty is in the shape of a fish and is made of hand wrought metal, with nice detail and an open woven body which provided air to the cricket. A sophisticated clasp locking mechanism on the underneath of the fish kept the pet cricket contained in the caged holder. Obviously this was intact when someone at some point in time tried to remove whatever was inside by making a hole at the base of the tail to get it out (see image). This hand held cricket cage holder is in very nice and all original condition, save for the small hole; not fragile in any way; sturdy in structure with no repairs.
For over 1000 years the Chinese have used crickets...
Category
Antique 1790s Chinese Qing Antiquities
Materials
Metal
Japanese Meditation Drum (Gyoban), Fish Shape with Striker, Wood, Meiji Period
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Japanese Meditation Drum (Gyoban), Fish Shape with Striker, Wood, Meiji Period
In the Zen Buddhist temples of Japan, suspended in front of the entrance to the refectory, you will no...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Spinning Temple Gong, Mandalay, Burma, Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Burmese spinning temple gong (Kyizi) from Mandalay, Burma, early 20th century.
Made of cast bronze in the shape of a temple pagoda with fine green patina.
Category
Early 20th Century Burmese More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$800 Sale Price
33% Off
Traditional Japanese Metal Koi Vase on Wood Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A cast metal Vase in traditional Japanese form having five gathered Koi in raised design. The Vase is finished in a fine mottled Bronze finish and comes with an older conforming pier...
Category
20th Century Meiji Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Antique Japanese Mingei Yokogi
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Japanese Yokogi, a fish shaped fulcrum for the pot hook assembly over the hearth, a naively carved Tai (Sea Bream) with large head pierced for the hooked pole and the large tail pointed upward with a metal loop for the cord attachment, incised carving for facial details and scales, encrusted patina from use. Wood storage box made of hinoki.
Excellent condition.
5-7/8 in. high x 14-3/4 in. long x 4 in. wide.
Weight: 4 lbs. 4 oz.
Late Edo, Circa 1800.
Published in a Japanese newspaper in 1964 (article and translation available).
Provenance:
with Kingo Kondo, Kyoto 1964
Ken Domon...
Category
Antique Early 1800s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Impressive Antique 19th Century Japanese Bronze Carp Vase Meiji Period
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Very artistic Japanese bronze vase wtih beautiful patina.
Marked at body and base.
Condition
No damages found, just some ware and small scratches. Size 310mm high
Period
19t...
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Qing Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
$1,184 Sale Price
42% Off