Rare Large 19th Century Inscribed Lingam Singing Bowl – Sun Motifs & Distinctive Voice

Antique Lingam Singing Bowl. Note Eb3 & Bb4 (Solar Plexus & Crown Chakras)

Weight 1.11 kilos (2 lb 7 oz).  Size 21 x 10 cm (8 ¼ x 4 inches)

This rare large Lingam Singing Bowl is thought to date from the early 1800s.  It has finely hammered walls and a sheered and grooved lip.  There is a neat lingam surrounded by circles at its center and a matching navel or yoni underneath.

The decorative artwork encircling its outer rim is particularly rare and interesting; being composed of sun motifs (dots within circles) arranged bunting-like as downward-facing triangles.   I have occasionally seen a similar design on very old Thadobati bowls but never before on a Lingam.  There are also decorative lines around its belly.

This bowl also benefits from an inscription; a fair indication of the high esteem in which it was held by a former keeper.  Very few bowls carry inscriptions.

The fundamental note is an excellent third octave Eb3 (159Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer.   A wooden ringer produces a middle octave Bb4 (457Hz) harmonic that is sometimes quietly accompanied by the fundamental.

It is in excellent structural condition, free of stains and blemishes, and has the look and feel of great antiquity.

An utterly unique antique bowl with interesting artwork, bags of character, and a very distinctive voice!

A Tibetan silk brocade bowl cushion and a ringer are included in the price.

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