Unusual Antique Singing Bowl – Gong-like G3 Note

Antique Manipuri Singing Bowl.  G3 Note (Throat Chakra)

Weight  1 lb 11 ¼ oz (773g).   19.5 x 7 cm (approx. 7 ¾ x 2 ¾ inches)

This old singing bowl has a shallow profile similar to a Manipuri, but the shape isn’t quite right.  If it were taller and perhaps a little larger I would say it resembled a Jambati…but since it is neither, I have decided to list it in our ‘unusual’ category.

So, to summarize, this is a medium size shallow bowl with a simple Jambati-like form.  It has been nicely forged and is structurally sound.  It has even walls and a level lip.  There is no evidence of any decoration inside or out, but this is clearly a very old bowl and the decorative features, if any, may have been worn away with the passage of time.  The colour is dark antique bronze with the patina of great age.  This bowl has a strong presence.

There is something gong-like about the sound of this bowl, and it’s not totally inconceivable that it was forged as a gong, although I personally don’t think so.  The struck note has a mysterious and haunting quality to it (reminiscent of a Balinese gong)…especially when a padded mallet is used.  The fundamental note is a low third octave G that fluctuates a little and can be brought to concert pitch with precision striking.  The rim note is much the same with a suede ringer, but becomes a C#5 with a wooden one.

A very interesting and unusual bowl with a unique sound!  A double-ended teak and suede ringer is included in the price.

{audio}manipuri773g3.mp3{/audio}

Listen: (2 struck notes and 2 played notes)