Superior Rare 18th Century Lingam Singing Bowl – Perfect Pitch G#3 & 2 Inscriptions!

This is a fabulous and rare 18^th century Lingam Singing Bowl with not one, but two, inscriptions on the outer wall.  They appear to be stylistically different, so it’s possible they were made at different times for different owners.  Inscriptions are very uncommon, and mainly found on older and superior quality bowls.  Sometimes they are the owner’s name, sometimes a dedication to a deity, sometimes a mantra or OM symbol.  They are always a fair indication of the high esteem in which the bowl was held by a former keeper.  A bowl that carries two inscriptions is very rare and special.  Furthermore, this bowl carries another interesting feature, the purpose of which is unknown…two tiny parallel cuts across the bowl’s lip!  I’ve come across this before on several large antique Jambati bowls, and believe the cuts, always in parallel pairs across the lip, have some initiation or magical purpose.   Fortunately, they completely miss this bowl’s playing edge and happily have no impact on the sound.

The fundamental note is a perfect pitch third octave G#3 (207/8Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer.  The rim changes to a fifth octave Eb5 (609Hz) with a wooden ringer.

This superior quality antique bowl has a gracefully curved wall with a sheered grooved lip and a slightly rounded flat bottom.  There are two decorative bands of tiny dots immediately below the outer rim, below which are two groups of multiple incised lines about an inch apart, with the inscriptions placed between them.  There is a lingam at its centre surrounded by two sets of circles, and a matching navel or yoni underneath.

It is structurally sound and clean, with an aged patina.  Its walls have been worn satin-smooth with use over the passage of time, making it a delight to hold and play.

An exceptional old bowl with a great voice and lots of interesting features!

A Tibetan silk brocade bowl cushion and a ringer are included in the price.

Note: Audio clips coming soon.