Lot 632: A Southeast Asian Bronze Gong With Mallet and a Collection of Metal Bells and Gilded Napkin Rings

A collection of musical and decorative objects, centred by a circular bronze gong of flat form with a shallow, rounded rim. The gong is accompanied by a wooden striker with a dark, rounded wool-felt head. The face of the gong features various surface markings, including a series of incised, irregular linear marks and zig-zags near the centre which do not form a legible name or inscription.

Surrounding the gong is an assortment of small metal bells, each cast in the form of a stylised animal head, possibly an elephant. The bells are divided into two distinct finishes: polished brass-tone and tarnished silver-tone. Each bell is constructed with a sound slit to the underside and a suspension hole through the neck.

The lot also includes a set of wide, circular napkin rings with a textured, gilded finish. These are presented in a woven natural fibre basket of coiled construction.