Interesting Rare Large Antique Manipuri Singing Bowl – F4 & Bb2 Fountains & Suns

Antique Manipuri Singing Bowl.   F4 (342Hz) Heart Chakra

Weight 2 lb 14 ½ oz (1.32 kilos).  25 x 8.5 cm (approx. 9 ¾ x 3 ¼ inches)

This interesting and rare large Manipuri Singing Bowl has a rather haunting F4 fundamental (352Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a wooden ringer, and a pulsating sustain.  Very surprisingly, a suede ringer produces a low second octave Bb2 harmonic (119Hz) that will make excellent vibrant fountains if played with water inside the basin. 

This 19th century Manipuri with its 9 ¾-inch diameter is exceptionally large and heavy for this bowl form.  The inside floor of the bowl features a decorative band of sun symbols (dot within a circle) set between a pair of concentric circles which surround a hand-drawn lotus.  The top of the rim is also decorated with suns, and there is a pair of incised lines encircling the inner rim. 

This fascinating Manipuri bowl is in good structural condition, basically clean but with some light pitting inside.

A Tibetan silk brocade bowl cushion, padded striker, and a ringer are all included in the price.

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Listen: (2 struck notes and 2 played notes, suede ringer then wood)