19th Century Tibetan C4 Lingam Singing Bowl – Rare Inscription

Antique Tibetan Lingam Singing Bowl.   C4 (258Hz) Crown Chakra
Weight 1 lb 6½ oz. (662g).   16.5 x 8.5 cm (approx. 6½ x 3¼ inches)

This is a 19^th century medium size Lingam Singing Bowl in very nice condition and benefiting from an engraved inscription on the outer wall below the rim.  Fewer than one in fifty of these rare lingam bowls are inscribed, and I cannot say if it is a dedication, a mantra, or the name of a previous owner, but it’s a fair indication of the high esteem or status in which this bowl was held.

This lingam bowl takes the Thadobati form with its high-sided wall and flat bottom.  It has a plain rim, an excellent pointed lingam surrounded by concentric circles at its centre, and a nice navel underneath.  The outer rim is decorated with two rows of punched dots.

The fundamental note is a third octave C4 (258Hz) whether stuck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer, but changes to a high sixth octave F# (746Hz) if a wooden one is used.  A teak and suede ringer is included in the price.

{audio}lingam662c4.mp3{/audio}

Listen: (3 struck notes and 2 played notes)