Rare Antique Bell-Shaped Lingam Singing Bowl – Beautiful F#3 Stuck Note

Antique Bell-Shaped Lingam Singing Bowl.  Notes F#3 & Bb4 (Heart & Crown Chakras)

Weight 1.15 kilos (2 lb 8 ½ oz).  Size 28.5 x 10.5 cm (7 ¼ x 4 inches)

This is an antique bell-shaped Lingam Singing Bowl of a type rarely seen.  It has very fine, smooth, and slightly splayed walls with a pronounced and well-defined lingam at its centre surrounded by two sets of circles. Unusually, two incised circles also surround the navel or yoni underneath.  It probably dates from the 1800s.

Antique bell-shaped singing bowls are rare, and much more so the lingam version, and they have their own special sound.  The fundamental note is a third octave F#3 (178/80Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer.  The rim note changes to a middle Bb4 (476Hz) if a wooden ringer is used.  It is a very responsive bowl and a delight to hold and play.

It is structurally sound and basically clean, but with some lighter patches where the aged patina (grime) has been dissolved by molten candlewax. However, this in no way detracts from its overall attractiveness, and in any event would disappear if the bowl were to be cleaned.

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

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