Vintage Ornament Handmade Pahāḍa Goat & Sheep's Bell from Himalayan Mountains of Nepal and Tibet; Wreath Decor, Wind Chimes

Regular price $3000

Authentic vintage Pahāḍa bells handmade in Nepal. A 1,000-year old tradition, featuring handwoven wool straps and rich sound. 

Description

These traditional Himalayan bells were once worn by yak, goats, and sheep across the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal and Tibet. Each piece is handcrafted with a signature tone, hammered and cured by fire, and finished with a strap handwoven by women in Western Nepal. Ethically made with fair trade wages, the bells are also used in Tibetan and Nepali ceremonies, by monks in meditation, and in traditional sound therapy.

  • Distinct Sound: Every bell carries a unique chime created by the artisan’s hammering, firing process and clapper size, used by herders to identify their animals by its distinct sound.
  • Traditional Fire-Curing Technique: Coated in yak butter and fire-cured for up to 48 hours, the metal develops a hollow, aged tone and textured patina that reflects its heritage.
  • Handwoven Custom Straps: Straps are woven by female artisans in Nepal using hand-dyed yarn. You can choose from the four distinct color categories to suit your style. 

Details

Once worn by wanderers, now ringing through your home. Each Pahāḍa bell holds a mountain’s memory in its chime.

  • Unique Chime Signature: Each bell produces a distinct tone based on its unique clapper and firing method, historically used by herders to identify their animals by their unique pitch and sound.
  • Fire-Cured with Yak Butter: Coated in yak butter and fire-cured for up to 48 hours, creating a hollow, resonant tone and a naturally aged patina.
  • Hand-Hammered Metal Alloy: Crafted from a metal alloy and shaped entirely by hand for a raw, organic surface texture.
  • Custom Woven Straps: Feature handwoven straps made by female artisans in Western Nepal, using either untreated wool or vibrantly dyed yarn.
  • Ethically Handmade: Handwoven in the homes of elderly women living in a Tibetan refugee camp outside of Pokhara, Nepal, providing fair pay, flexible work, and vital income for daily living.
  • Multiple Size Options: Bells available in six sizes: Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, and Extra Extra Large for decorative or functional use. Straps available in
  • 4 color categories: Neutrals, Primary Colors, Brights or Pastels. Strap sizes available in Ornament, Medium or Large sizes.

Specifications

  • Material: Hand-hammered metal alloy
  • Curing: Yak butter fire-curing for 12–48 hours
  • Clapper: Metal or petrified wood
  • Strap Material: Hand-dyed, organic wool yarn (treated or untreated)
  • Strap Sizes: Ornament: 8” long x 1” wide, Medium: 20-24” long x 1.5” wide and Larger: 28-
  • Bell Sizes (in height):  3”, 4”, 5”, 7-8”, 9”, and 11”
  • Origin: Handmade in Nepal (Pokhara region)

How to Use

  • Hang on a door, wall or porch using the metal loop on the bell or with a strap
  • Use to adorn your front door, as wind chimes, in a wreath, garland, on a mantle or as holiday ornaments
  • Incorporate these bells in meditation or sound therapy practices
  • Indoor and sheltered outdoor use is recommended to preserve sound and color
  • Wipe gently with a dry cloth to clean

Shipping

Orders are processed within 2-3 business days and shipped from our U.S. studio. You’ll receive a tracking number as soon as your order is on its way. We want you to love your order. If something’s not right, you may request a return or exchange within 14 days of delivery. Items must be unused and in original packaging.

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Shop Reviews

An Ancient Sound Carried Through Generations

Crafted in the spirit of Himalayan pastoral life, each Pahāḍa bell echoes the centuries-old practice of shepherding livestock across high-altitude terrain. These bells weren’t just utilitarian; they were individual voiceprints of every animal, tuned by fire and metal to help shepherds track their herd.

Craft That Stays True to the Mountains

The bellmaking process remains untouched by industrial tools. Local artisans hammer each piece by hand, cure it in yak butter and flame in a metal basin for up to two days, and mount a clapper that gives every bell its unique tone. No two are alike and that’s what makes them unique and beautiful.

Woven by Women, Rooted in Ritual

Each strap is handwoven by women in Western Nepal using traditional looms, carrying forward a craft that has been practiced for generations. When selecting your strap, you’ll be able to choose from one of four color groups, Neutrals, Primary Colors, Brights, or Pastels. Because each shipment brings a different assortment, exact colors and patterns may vary, making every piece a truly one-of-a-kind continuation of local craft and empowerment.

From Herd to Home: How to Use It

Originally tied around the necks of Himalayan goats, sheep and yak, these bells now lend their spirit to modern spaces. Hang one on your entryway for a gentle chime, use it in a wreath or Christmas display, or keep it by your hearth. Wherever it rings, it carries presence.

Ethical by Design

Produced in a Tibetan refugee community near Pokhara, Nepal, these bells uphold a legacy of ethical handcraft. Every purchase directly supports fair wages, sustainable employment, and the survival of indigenous crafts that might otherwise disappear. A portion of proceeds also helps fund an elderly care facility within the refugee community, providing daily essentials and dignity for elders who might otherwise be without support.

FAQ

Are these Pahāḍa bells truly vintage?

Yes. These are authentic vintage pieces traditionally worn by yak, goats, and sheep across Nepal and Tibet. Each bell has lived a previous life on the mountain and carries a weathered patina and tone shaped by time and use.

What materials are used to make these bells?

Each bell is hand-hammered from a metal alloy, cured in yak butter over an open fire for up to 48 hours, and fitted with a metal or petrified wood clapper. The straps are handwoven from organic wool yarn, either untreated or vibrantly dyed.

How do I choose the right strap?

You can select between untreated wool for a raw, natural look or color-treated yarn for a more vibrant finish. Both are handcrafted by female artisans in Western Nepal using traditional weaving techniques.

 Are these bells functional or decorative?

Both. Originally made for livestock, these bells are fully functional and produce resonant tones. Today, many people use them decoratively on doors, porches, mantles, wreaths, or in meditative and ceremonial spaces.

How are the bells cleaned or maintained?

These bells require minimal upkeep. Gently wipe the metal with a dry cloth to remove dust. For longevity, indoor or sheltered outdoor use is recommended to protect their sound quality and color over time.

Additional information

Each Fluff Ewes dryer ball is handmade in Nepal by women in underprivileged communities, ensuring ethical labor practices and fair wages. We’re committed to providing a positive impact by offering benefits like childcare, medical checkups, and menstrual education for our workers. The wool used in Fluff Ewes comes from an organic New Zealand sheep farm known for their humane and cruelty-free shearing practices. When you purchase Fluff Ewes, you’re supporting a community of women, a sustainable production line, and a better future for the planet.