Rare 18th Century 8 ¾” Jambati-Lingam Singing Bowl – Perfect Pitch F#3 (185Hz)

This rare antique Lingam Singing Bowl is one of the largest of its kind I have encountered in over 35 years of collecting rare bowls…a Jambati-Lingam.  This superior quality bowl dates from the 18^th century and has finely hammered walls that have been worn smooth by use and ritual cleaning over time.

The fundamental note is a fabulous perfect pitch third octave F#3 (185Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer.  The rim note changes to a fifth octave C#5 (561Hz) with a wooden ringer.  With a diameter of 8 ¾ inches and weighing well under 1 ½ kilos it is uncommonly light for its size, and therefore relatively comfortable to hold and play rather than having to rest it on a mat or cushion.

When viewed from the side this bowl could easily be mistaken for a small-to medium size Jambati with its gracefully curved wall and rounded bottom.  It has a narrow triangulated lip and (now faint) decorative bands encircling the outer rim. Inside, at its centre, there is a large pointed lingam surrounded and defined by decorative circles, and underneath a deep navel or yoni. The outer wall is sensually smooth and particularly attractive.

Its superior quality, age, size, voice, and excellent condition all combine to make this 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.

This lovely antique Jambati-Lingam bowl was sourced in the Indian Himalayas bordering Nepal.  It is in excellent structural condition, free of stains and blemishes.

Some inclusions on the bottom, inside and out, add extra interest.  Inclusions are dust or grits in the molten metal mixture of copper and tin, that bear witness to the primitive conditions under which the bowl was forged.  They manifest as tiny raised pimples beneath the surface.  

This Jambati-Lingam Bowl has the look and feel of great antiquity.

A Tibetan silk brocade bowl cushion, padded striker, and a ringer 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.  This bowl has a diameter of 8 ¾ inches.