Clay bells “Dolei” are Japanese traditional souvenir for decorative or amulet charm. Clay bells have a long history, having been excavated from Jomon period ruins and ancient ritual sites. At the time, they were spherical or oval, without holes, and were made by mixing clay, sand, and plant fibers and firing them. From the Edo period onwards, they were made in large numbers as local toys and lucky charms, and belonged to the "second tool" whose function and purpose cannot be precisely identified. It is believed that clay bells first appeared as toys in the early Edo period, as one of the clay pottery works in Fushimi, Kyoto. It has long been believed that striking a clay bell has the magical power to ward off evil, and so they are used in festivals and are also attached to talismans to ward off evil. Hand painted Scratches on its left Approx 8x11cm/3x4.3”