This set of bronze bells and pestles are Tibetan Buddhist musical instruments. The vajra bell looks like a bell, with a round lower mouth. It is decorated with a complex pattern on the outside. A copper clapper is suspended inside. The bell knob is cast as a Buddha statue. There is an orb in the center of the pestle and lotus platforms on the two sides, held by a Makara. The whole pestle is in the form of five shares, with exquisite materials, excellent craftsmanship, and vivid modeling. It is a typical official Tibetan Buddhist instrument during the Yongle Reign and Xuande Reign of Ming Dynasty. These two Buddhist objects were a gift given to the Lhasa monastery in Tibet during the Ming dynasty (1426-1435) by the Ming royal court. On the 60th birthday of Qing emperor Qianlong, the Dalai Lama gave this to the Emperor Qianlong as a birthday present, which had been treasured in the Qing Palace.
Tibetan Buddhism prevails in Tibet. During the Yongle and Xuande Reign of Ming Dynasty (AD 1403-1435), in order to better win the religious leaders in Tibet over, the Ming court successively conferred three “Dharma Kings” (Dabao Dharma King, Mahàyàna Dharma King, and Daci Dharma King). Five “religious kings” with lower status (Chanhua King, Hujiao King, Zanshan King, Fujiao King, and Chanjiao King). The “Eight Great Religious Kings” have inherited from generation to generation. Each king sent envoys regularly or irregularly to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty. They brought horses and other specialty products. The Ming court also gave back with silk, tea and banknotes.