Handbell; dril-bu

Dril-bu, brass handbell. The handle has a circular ring surmounted by a crowned head, perhaps representing a Buddha, with the prongs of the ritual sceptre vajra forming the finial. The bell itself has much metal relief decoration ('cire perdue' or similar type), in horizontally repeating patterns of sea-monsters spitting strings of pearls that enclose eight symbols. Above the rim of the bell is a band of vertical ritual sceptres. The iron clapper is attached by a wire loop to a brass loop integral to the interior of the bell.