Rare Pair of Huge and Gloriously Engraved Ceremonial Jambati Bowls

Two Engraved Ceremonial Jambati Singing Bowls G2/D4 and F#2/C#4

Weight 1.92 kilos each (4 lb 3 ½ oz).   Diameters 11 and 10 ½ inches

These two magnificent Ceremonial Jambati Singing Bowls were sourced in Bangladesh but may have their origins elsewhere in the Himalayas.  They are among the finest hand-beaten and engraved bowls that I have encountered in 30 years of collecting; true works of art!  I am fairly confident that the same artist decorated both bowls, and that they were probably once part of a larger set. 

It is difficult to date these two bowls as they are quite unique, and unlike any of the modern engraved or etched bowls found in Nepal today.  They are beautifully forged and in superb condition, but there are also signs of long usage.  The incredible artwork might have been done at a later date by Bangladeshi craftsmen, but it’s impossible to tell.   In truth it doesn’t really matter as these bowls sing beautifully and are examples of the finest craftsmanship to be found anywhere in the singing bowl world.

GANESH BOWL:  This beautiful bowl is decorated with 10 identical images of Ganesh accompanied by his vehicle the shrew.  Each image is separated from the next by decorative foliage.  It weighs 1.92 kilos (4lb 3 ½ oz) and has a diameter of 11 inches and a depth of 5 (28 x 13 cm).  The fundamental note is a concert pitch G2 (98Hz) with a D4 (294Hz) harmonic.  Both notes are superb, and this bowl will produce fountains when played with a little water inside.  Its size and weight make it relatively manageable for hand-held playing.  Ganesh, the Hindu elephant-headed deity, is considered to be the patron of the arts, and grants success, prosperity and protection against adversity.

{audio}ganeshbowl.mp3{/audio}
Listen: (2 struck notes and 1 played note) 

SARASWATI BOWL:  This appears to be a slightly older bowl, or perhaps it has just been played more.  It has a very smooth interior, probably due to ritual cleaning, and some slight copper oxidization.  A superb bowl engraved with images of the Hindu Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and learning) and her vehicle the swan, in various poses around the bowl, plus a small owl and possibly a conch.  This bowl also weighs 1.92 kilos (4lb 3 ½ oz) and has a diameter of 10 ½ inches (27 x 12 cm).  The fundamental note is a beautiful F#2 (94Hz) and the rim note is C#4.

{audio}saraswatibowl.mp3{/audio}
Listen: (2 struck notes and 1 played note)

These two bowls are sold as a pair and are supplied with two strikers and two ringers.