Fabulous 11 ½ “ Hand-Carved Antique Jambati Singing Bowl – Voice of the Buddha – A2

This wonderful Antique Jambati Singing Bowl is one of two with a similar central motif by the same Bangladeshi carver, the other one having been previously sold.  It is extraordinarily rare to find two related bowls, especially when sourced at different times.     It’s possible that they were originally carved as a pair or part of a larger set.  This bowl, like the other, has virtually its entire outer wall intricately engraved with beautiful artwork. 

The artwork features one of the 8 auspicious symbols of Buddhism…the Tibetan Conch Shell.  The Tibetan conch shell represents the mind of the Buddha, inner peace, and the Buddha’s melodious voice.  This Jambati is beautifully engraved with 6 sacred conch shells surrounded by foliage that differs considerably from the other related bowl.

The fundamental struck note is an uncommon and wonderful low perfect pitch second octave A2 (111Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer.  The rim note will readily develop into a middle octave E4 (335Hz) if desired, the same note if played with a wooden ringer.

It has a gracefully curved wall, a sheered lip, and rounded bottom.  The circles at its centre have been worn away with the passage of time.  It is in excellent structural condition, clean and free of stains and blemishes, with an aged bronze colour.

The size and quality of this carved Jambati bowl suggests that it probably served a sacred or ceremonial purpose and was commissioned by or for a temple or monastery.

A Tibetan silk brocade bowl cushion, padded striker, and a ringer are included.

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.  Usually only large superior quality high-value Jambati bowls are engraved because the process is lengthy and expensive.  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.   The engraved artwork adds considerably to the bowl’s cost and value, and more importantly, its status as an important ceremonial or temple bowl.  This beautiful bowl is one of very few engraved antique Jambati in my collection.  Click here for more information about carved bowls.