Once in a while – thankfully extremely rarely – I get a mournful email from someone who has dropped their Balinese bell and it has lost its ring. They write to ask how to get it repaired.
The information sheet that is sent out with each bell explains that if it is dropped or banged against a hard surface then the bronze casting is likely to fracture and the bell will never ring again. The only way to repair it is to ship it back to Bali and have it reforged, which takes such a long time and costs so much more than buying a new bell that no-one ever does it.
We think of metal as being strong and durable, so it’s something of a surprise to discover that bells need such careful handling. The type that are made of cheap metal alloys and mass-produced in factories are usually more hardy, but the unremarkable quality of sound they produce means they are no use at all for space clearing. Hand crafted Balinese bells are made from a unique type of bronze that puts them in a completely different league, so even though they are more fragile, they are well worth the extra care that is required. They are the best available anywhere in the world for space clearing.
Each Balinese bell comes in a beautiful sturdy satin-lined palm leaf box to protect it from damage, and it is recommended that you keep it in its box when not in use. One customer recently wrote to us to say, ‘I received the package yesterday. The bell left me breathless when I opened it – so heavy, beautiful, and such an amazing tone! The boxes that that bell and stand were packaged in are so pretty! I was expecting the usual cardboard box, but of course the bell and stand deserve better.’
Cleaning a Balinese bell
To clean a Balinese bell, use a soft cloth and a good quality brass cleaner for the dome, and wood polish for the wooden handle. If you live in Germany, there is a wonderful product called Wiener Kalk that is a more natural and odourless alternative to regular brass cleaning products. Or you can simply clean the bronze dome of the bell with fresh lemon juice, and then wipe with a damp cloth and polish to a shine with a soft dry cloth.
Related articles
What’s so special about Balinese bells?
More about space clearing bells and harmony balls
Questions about Balinese bells & moon cycles
Copyright © Karen Kingston, 2013