Superb Rare Large 19th Century Lingam Singing Bowl – Glorious G3 (199Hz)

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

Weight 1.49 kilos (4 lb 4 ¼ oz).  Size 25.5 x 11 cm (10 x 4 ¼ inches)

This superb antique Lingam Singing Bowl is one of the largest I have encountered in over 35 years of collecting rare bowls, and only the third Jambati-Lingam I have seen. 

With an exceptionally large 10-inch diameter and weighing 1.5 kilos its size, age, superior quality, and fabulous fundamental combine to make it one of the most desirable and collectable of antique singing bowls.

The fundamental note is a lovely third octave G3 (199Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer.  The rim note changes to a fifth octave Eb5 (620Hz) with a wooden ringer.

When viewed from the side one could easily mistake this bowl for a large Jambati.  It has the typical gracefully curved wall with decorative bands forming a collar around the outer rim, and a particularly nice wide, grooved, triangulated lip.  But inside, at its centre, there is a pointed lingam surrounded by decorative circles, and underneath a deep matching navel or yoni.  This would have been an expensive bowl to craft, and its size and superior quality suggest that it might have been a ceremonial bowl commissioned for a temple or monastery. 

This rare Lingam bowl was sourced in the Indian Himalayas bordering Nepal and is believed to date from the 19^th  century, possibly earlier.  It is in excellent structural condition, free of stains and blemishes, with a fabulous bronze colour and aged patina. Just perfect!

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

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 such as this will come to light.

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