Bronze Water Buffalo Bell - Laos - 19th cen

Bronze Water Buffalo Bell, Laos 19th century, Hmong minority.
Original leather belt and patina with long lasting clear sound.
The bell is covered with a thin layer of black laquer.

Made in the lost-wax technique, bronze mixture with low silver content.
Animal bells in general play an important part in South East Asian culture and has a long history.
Used to track the movement of livestock and keep the herd together while grazing in the open field.

The water buffalo is a symbol of streght and resilients in South East Asian culture, a trusted partner in rural life and for farming families their most valuable possession. In a traditional saying," the husband ploughs, the wive sows, the buffalo draws the plough and is a friend of the children" this captures the animal's central place not only in agriculture but also in family life and is essential to Hmong agriculture.

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