Rare Massive 12 ½” 18th C. Monastery/Temple Lingam Singing Bowl – Inscribed ‘Great Ali’

This massive antique Jambati-Lingam Singing Bowl was sourced in the Indian Himalayas bordering Nepal and is believed to date from the 18th century.  It is one of the rarest antique bowls in my entire collection.

With an extraordinary diameter in excess of 12 ½ inches and weighing nearly 4 kilos it is one of the largest and heaviest antique Lingam I have encountered in over 40 years of collecting rare bowls, and certainly one of the largest of its type in existence (see footnote).

The fundamental note is an incredibly beautiful pulsating A3 (217-218Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a heavy suede ringer.

This superior quality bowl was probably commissioned by or for a monastery or temple, where it would have served some important ceremonial purpose.  It carries an inscription on the outer wall; a sure sign of the high esteem in which it was held by a former keeper.  The inscription, unusually, is set betwixed a pair of wing motifs.

When viewed from the side one could easily mistake this bowl for an exceptionally large antique Jambati.  It has a gracefully curved finely hammered wall and a small flat bottom.  It has a wide triangulated and grooved lip and incised decorative bands encircling the outer rim.   Inside, at its centre, there is a fabulous pointed lingam surrounded and defined by three sets of circles.  Unusually, almost uniquely, the circles travel up the length of the lingam itself.  The navel or yoni underneath has been filled in, suggesting that it has served a safe-keeping purpose during its lifetime; possibly associated with pregnancy or some other important event.

There is an engraved inscription flanked by wings on the outer wall below the bands.  It is written in an ancient form of Farsi (Persian) and reads ‘Akbar Ali’ which is probably the name of the commissioning owner or benefactor, although it might be the name of the bowl.   Akbar means big or great, and Ali is a name….thus Big or Great Ali! (Persia historically had a tremendous influence on South Asia including India).

This massive Lingam bowl is in excellent structural condition, and free of stains and blemishes.  It is supplied exactly as found with a heavy dusting of powdery copper oxidisation and the most wonderful copper red/green surface patina that has gradually built up over the centuries.  My personal preference would be to keep it exactly as it is with the look and feel of great antiquity.  However, it could very easily be cleaned and virtually restored to its original condition if desired.

This fabulous Lingam bowl is undoubtedly one of the most desirable and collectable antique bowls in the world today, and its next lucky guardian can rest assured they have something utterly unique and really special.    Its high price is a reflection of the price I had to pay to acquire it, and its age, quality, size, condition and rarity today.

A wonderful antique treasure with a a rare and beautiful A3!

A large Tibetan silk brocade bowl cushion, a padded striker, and two different ringers are included in the price.

NOTE: Antique Lingam Singing Bowls are sacred ritual and musical vessels and the rarest and most sought-after of all Himalayan bowls.  They typically have diameters of between 5 and 7 inches (23 to 28 cm).  Very occasionally one of 9 or even 10 inches will come to light, but anything larger is virtually unheard of!  This fabulous museum quality specimen has an astonishing diameter of 12 ½  inches!