Large 19th Century Manipuri Singing Bowl with Sun Motifs – C#3

Antique Manipuri Singing Bowl. Notes: C#3 & F#5 (Root & Heart Chakras)

Weight 912 grams (2 lb 0 ¼ oz).  Size 22 x 7.5 cm (8 ½ x 3 inches)

This is a large antique Manipuri Singing Bowl with an abundance of decorative artwork including a circle of sun motifs (dots surrounded by circles) at its centre and all around the rim.  There is also a pair of decorative incised lines encircling the inner wall a little below the rim.  The outer wall retains some forging hammer marks while the interior is smooth.

The fundamental note is a third octave C3/C#3 (131-135Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer.  The rim note changes to a forth and fifth octave F#4/F#5 (376Hz & 721Hz) with a wooden ringer.  It is a responsive bowl and easy to play.

This old 19th Century multiharmonic bowl has seen a lot of use in its time but remains structurally sound and basically clean, but with an aged patina.  The darker spots inside could probably be removed with a little effort if desired.

Decorated Manipuri singing bowls of this size are now very rare.

A Tibetan silk brocade bowl cushion and a double-ended teak and suede ringer are included in the price.

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Listen: ( 3 struck notes, 1 played note with suede ringer, and two with a wooden ringer)