Ghanti (bell)

last half 19th century
Not on view
The handle of this bell consists of a finely wrought figure of Hanuman, the famous monkey general who, in Hindu mythology, led the army that helped Rama rescue his wife, Sita, from Ravana. The body of the bell is richly engraved with additional figures and floral designs. Priests use ghanti of different sizes to worship and pay homage to a god. This worship may occur in a temple or privately at home before the household shrine.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Ghanti (bell)
  • Date: last half 19th century
  • Geography: North, India
  • Culture: Indian
  • Medium: Brass
  • Dimensions: Height: 12 in. (30.5 cm)
    Diameter: 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
  • Classification: Idiophone-Struck-bell-clapper
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.154
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.