Chinese Iron Temple Gong

A squat iron bowl, with one small hole and a skin of ornament.

This temple gong was made in China in iron, dated in the record to the 17th or 18th century. Temple gongs are commonly associated with calling monks or marking time in ritual settings. The bowl has a banded, slightly turned-out rim and a rounded body, with a small hole near the base. Faint raised patterns cover the sides, worn down by age and handling. The metal is a dull charcoal brown, with a rough, grainy surface.

About 6 inches tall and 8 across. It looks good where something needs a little weight.