Unique 9 ½“ Hand-Carved Antique Lingam Singing Bowl – A3 (222Hz)

Hand engraved antique singing bowls are extremely hard to come by.  They are usually genuine 18th and 19th century antique bowls from India that are later exquisitely carved to order in Bangladesh by just a few specialist master craftsmen.  Normally only large superior quality high-value Jambati bowls are engraved because the process is lengthy and expensive, and they are few and far between.  It can take a skilled craftsman a month or more to engrave a single bowl, depending upon its size and the complexity of design.  And because the carving is usually commissioned they rarely come on the market.   This beautiful bowl is one of very few engraved antique Lingams in my collection.

The fundamental struck note is a lovely and almost perfect pitch third octave A3 (222Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer.  The rim note changes to a fifth octave E5 (647Hz) with a wooden ringer.  It is a responsive bowl and easy to play.

All Lingams are extremely rare and difficult to source, and typically range from 5 to 8 inches in diameter…this bowl is unusually large at 9 ½ inches.  It’s relatively heavy for its size too, with walls that are thicker than usual.  It has a very graceful shape, a thick lip, and a rounded bottom.     At its centre there is beautiful lingam surrounded and defined by two sets of circles, matched by a deep navel or yoni underneath.

The carving covers the whole of the outer wall and features a repeating pattern of lotus and sunflowers surrounded by coiled foliage.  The carved area surrounding the navel is particularly unusual and interesting since it appears to feature the Tibetan endless knot and vajras surrounded by ornately carved circles.

It is in excellent structural condition, clean and free of stains and blemishes, with several old watermarks in the interior.  It has a fabulous antique bronze patina and colour.

The price of this bowl reflects its incomparable beauty and uniqueness in the world, and it is difficult to part with.  A Tibetan silk brocade bowl cushion, padded striker, and a ringer are included.

Note: Audio Clips coming soon.