Extraordinary 17th-18th Century Shaman Medicine & Singing Bowl – Super Rare

It’s reasonable to assume that oddly-shaped bowls were made to fulfill a particular function over and above the sonic one…such as divination or the preparation of herbal remedies.  I believe this bowl to be a shaman medicine bowl.  It has a very unusual shape with its shallow wall, splayed rim, sheered lip, and wide slightly-rounded flat bottom.  At its centre there is a raised mound, the purpose of which is a mystery.  It is matched by a depression underneath. 

This extraordinary shaman medicine and singing bowl is thought to date from the 18th century but could well be older.  It is one of the rarest and oldest in my entire collection.  

Antique medicine bowls normally have limited vocal ability as the primary function is not sonic, but this bowl is an exception. It is also multi-harmonic.  The fundamental note is a beautiful and rather haunting third octave E3 (169Hz) when struck with a padded mallet and a fifth octave A5 (860hz) when struck with a hard one.  The rim note is E3 (169Hz) when played with a suede ringer, and Bb4 (464Hz) with a wooden one.

This wonderful ancient bowl is in excellent condition for its age, clean, and free of blemishes.  It has a beautiful aged surface and the look and feel of purpose and great antiquity.

A unique shamanic bowl with an interesting and varied voice!

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