Rare & Wonderful 17th Century Thadobati Singing/Talking/Fountain Bowl – F3 & Bb/B4

Antique Thadobati Singing Bowl. Notes: F3 & B4 (Heart & Crown Chakras)

Weight: 1.15 kilos (2 lb 8 oz).  Size: 20 x 10.5 cm (8 x 4 ¼ inches)

This ancient bowl is believed to date from the 17th Century and is virtually unique in my collection.  It is very large for this type of bowl, a Thadobati, but otherwise typical with its straight high-sided wall, sheered lip and flat bottom.  But what really distinguishes it is its considerable age, its voice, and talking and fountain abilities!

It has an excellent pulsating third octave F3 (173Hz) fundamental that’s quite close to perfect pitch, and a nice sustain, when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer.  The rim note changes to a middle octave Bb4-B4 (478-481Hz) with a wooden ringer.  The struck and played notes are sometimes accompanied by the lower F3 fundamental in the background.

If struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a little water inside (using a suede ringer) it becomes a talking bowl and produces a variety of other-worldly sounds, particularly when rocked back and forth.  One needs to experiment with the water level to obtain the best effect.  Talking bowls are extremely rare and highly prized.  They are used by shaman as a gateway to other dimensions, to induce trance states, and to contact deities and ancestors.  

Furthermore, this bowl has bags of vibrant energy and will readily make splashy fountains with water inside if played normally around the rim with a suede ringer.  Very few bowls have this ability.

The slightly irregular walls of this bowl bear witness to the difficulties encountered in its manufacture, due in part to it tall height.  Any decorative features it might once have posessed have long since been worn away with centuries of use, although there is clear evidence of magical or ritual marks around and below the outer rim.  These appear as depressions at intervals.

This bowl is in excellent structural condition, clean and free of stains externally, but with some stains inside; hardly surprising in a bowl this age.  The stains are almost certainly chicken guano resulting from the birds perching on the rim.  Some might actually like it and see it as further proof of authenticity.  It might be possible to remove them if desired, but I personally would accept them as part of its life’s journey.  This bowl has an aged patina and a golden bronze colour, and the look and feel of great antiquity.

This versatile ancient Thadobati Singing/Talking/Fountain Bowl is simply wonderful, and its lucky future owner will not be disappointed!

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

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Listen: ( 3 struck notes and 2 played notes, suede ringer then wood).