Spectacular 17th-18th Century 10 ¾” Inscribed Jambati-Lingam Singing Bowl – Fab G3

Antique Lingam Singing Bowl. Notes: G3 & Eb5 (Throat & Solar Plexus Chakras)

Weight 1.94 kilos (4 lb 4 oz).  Size 27 x 11 cm (10 ¾ x 4 ¼ inches)

This spectacular antique Lingam Singing Bowl is one of the largest antique Lingam bowls I have encountered in over 35 years of collecting rare bowls, and one of very few Jambati-Lingams.

With an incredible diameter of 10 ¾ inches and weighing nearly 2 kilos its enormous size, age, superior quality, unique form, inscription, and fabulous voice all combine to make it one of the most desirable and collectable of antique singing bowls, and its next lucky guardian can rest assured they have one of the rarest and finest bowls in the world.

The fundamental note is a lovely third octave G3 (198Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer.  The rim note changes to Eb5 (605Hz) with a wooden ringer.

When viewed from the side one could easily mistake this bowl for an very large early Jambati.  It has a gracefully curved hammered wall and a rounded bottom.  It has a triangulated grooved lip and incised decorative bands encircling the outer rim.  Inside, at its centre, there is a huge lingam surrounded by faint decorative circles, and underneath a deep navel or yoni.

It also benefits from an inscription between the bands on the outer wall; a certain indication of the importance and high esteem in which this bowl was held by a former keeper.  It has been expertly crafted, with walls that are much finer than usual, and its size and superior quality suggest that it might have been a ceremonial bowl commissioned for a temple or monastery.

This amazing Lingam bowl was sourced in the Indian Himalayas bordering Nepal and is believed to date from the 17^th or 18^thCentury.  It is in excellent structural condition, free of stains and blemishes, with a fabulous and aged patina.

Undoubtedly one of the rarest and finest antique singing bowls in the world today! 

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

{audio}lingam1-94g3.mp3{/audio}

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

Antique Lingam Singing Bowls are sacred 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!