Incredibly Rare 18th Century 11” Antique Jambati-Lingam Singing Bowl – Sublime C#3-D3

This rare and wonderful antique Lingam Singing Bowl is one of the largest and heaviest antique Lingam bowls I have encountered in nearly 50 years of collecting rare bowls, and one of very few Jambati-Lingams.  It also has the most wonderfully sublime voice when struck.

With an incredible diameter of 11 inches and weighing virtually 2 ¼ kilos its enormous size, age, superior quality, unique form and exceptionally beautiful voice all combine to make it one of the most desirable and collectable of antique singing bowls, and its next lucky guardian can rest assured they have one of the rarest and finest bowls in the world.

The fundamental note flickers subtly between a third octave C#3 (142Hz) and D3 (148Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer.  For those working with chakras there is the simultaneous dual benefit of Root and Sacral Chakras.  The rim note is a little challenging and slow to build without practice and experimentation with different ringers, but the struck note, in particular, is utterly sublime and ranks among the very best I have ever encountered.  If, like me, struck notes are your priority, then this wonderful bowl is for you!

When viewed from the side one might mistake this bowl for a large low-profile early Jambati.  Its gracefully curved hammered walls and rounded bottom have been worn sensually smooth inside and out from handling and use over time.  There is a wide triangulated lip, with multiple incised decorative bands encircling the outer rim…an attractive and unusual feature normally found on Manipuri bowls.  The fabulous pointed lingam at its centre is surrounded by 2 sets of decorative circles, and underneath there is a neat navel or yoni.  

A hint of black residue at the bottom of the navel suggests evidence of the bowl’s magical safe-keeping past, when it was sealed to ensure a pregnancy goes full term.  

This fabulous antique bowl was found in the Indian Himalayas bordering Nepal and is one of the oldest in my collection, dating from the 18 century, possibly earlier.  Its superior quality and huge size suggest that it might even have served an important ceremonial role in a temple or monastery.

It is in excellent structural condition, clean and stain-free, with a beautiful aged patina and colour acquired over the centuries.  It has the look and feel of great antiquity, and is undoubtedly one of the rarest and finest antique singing bowls in the world today!  A treasure that would have pride of place in any collection!

A Tibetan silk brocade bowl cushion, padded striker, and two different ringers are included in the price.

Antique Lingam Singing Bowls are sacred musical vessels and the rarest and most sought-after of all Himalayan bowls.  They typically have diameters of between 5 and 7 inches (23 to 28 cm).  Very occasionally one of 9 or even 10 inches will come to light, but anything larger is virtually unheard of!