Exceptionally Rare 17th Century Shaman Lingam Talking or Water Spirit Bowl – Inscribed

This is one of the rarest and most prized antique bowls in my entire collection, and the buyer will have something very special indeed.  It is a shaman’s Talking or Water Bowl, sometimes known as a Water Spirit Bowl, used to enter the spirit world and/or communicate with ancestral spirits.  At other times it may be used as a medicine or divination bowl, and perhaps as a struck singing bowl too, although this would not be its primary function.

Water or Talking Bowls produce a variety of mysterious other-worldly sounds when struck and played with a little water inside. One needs to experiment with the water level to achieve the best result.  The fundamental struck and played note, without water, is a third octave F3 (176Hz). The rim note changes to B4 (494Hz) with a wooden ringer. Both notes are close to perfect pitch.

This is the larger of two virtually identical 17^th century bowls in my collection. They were sourced together in a remote region of the Indian Himalayas bordering Nepal.  They are particularly interesting and unusual because they are also Lingam bowls…making them even more rare!

This bowl is heavy for its size and has a shallow form that flares out towards the rim.  There is also an unusual leaf-like decoration around the outer rim.  They are very finely drawn and only noticeable on very close inspection, some being worn away.  There is a magnificent large lingam at its centre surrounded by several sets of circles which continue up the inside of the wall.  The underside features a deep navel or yoni.  There are also some inclusions on the bottom, adding extra interest.  Inclusions are dust or grits in the molten metal mixture of copper and tin, and bear witness to the primitive conditions under which the bowl was forged.  They usually manifest as tiny raised pimples beneath the surface, but in this case they have been worn down and appear as bright spots.

This bowl, like the other, carries an inscription on the outer wall; a fair indication of the high esteem in which it was held by a former keeper.

This wonderful rare antique Lingam Water Spirit Bowl is in superb structural condition, clean and free of stains, and has the fabulous patina of long use and antiquity.

A rare opportunity to acquire a truly unique antique shaman bowl!

A large Tibetan silk brocade bowl cushion and a double-ended teak and suede ringer are included in the price.

Pay in 3 Option:  If required, you can pay for this fabulous rare bowl in 3 equal installments, interest free, over 3 months.  Your bowl will be RESERVED with the first payment, marked ’SOLD’ on the website with the second, and SHIPPED out for delivery with the final payment.  Please use the CONTACT form to let me know if you wish to pay by installments and I will send you 3 payment invoices.