Ancient bells admired at Golden Dragon Museum exhibition

AN interactive exhibition exploring the ancient Chinese ‘nao’ bell through the research of local sculptor Dr Anton Hasell has opened at the Golden Dragon Museum.

The ‘nao’ bell is believed to be one of the earliest forms of bell produced in the world.

Often made from bronze, only a few of the first examples remain and due to their fragility can no longer be rung.

The replica bells featured in the exhibition were created by Dr Hasell through his company Australian Bell and are the result of decades of study into traditional construction methods.

His research has focused on the form of elliptical bells and their sound mechanism, using modern technologies to improve their musicality.

“(I’ve) been fascinated by bells, their history, manufacture and sounds since I started exploring their properties in the 1990s,” Dr Hasell said.

“Chinese ‘nao’ bells have been a particular interest as they are amongst the oldest known forms of bell ever created.

“Not only are they often objects of great beauty, but the sounds that they can produce are also often beguiling and, for me, totally absorbing.”

Golden Dragon Museum chair Doug Lougoon said the museum is excited to be presenting the exhibition.

“Many of us are attracted to the sounds of bells but fewer of us appreciate their history or the artistry that goes into making them,” he said.

“This showing of replica bells by Dr Hasell helps to explain and demystify them.

“This exhibition is also exciting as (it’s) the first that is the product of an EOI process that the Museum ran during 2024 to identify future temporary exhibitions.”

The exhibition continues until Sunday 19 October.