Rare and Extraordinary Antique Lingam Singing Bowl – Superb Eb4 (313Hz)

This rare antique Lingam Singing Bowl has an extraordinary shape and a unique voice to match.  The fundamental note is a middle Eb4 (313Hz) when struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede or wooden ringer.  The struck and played notes have a distinctive pulse or beat similar to that of a Mani, and the bowl’s unusual shape amplifies the sound.   It is a responsive bowl and easy to play.

This unusual Lingam bowl has smooth walls inside and out and a grooved flanged lip.  The large lingam at its centre is surrounded by circles at its base and, unusually, also close to its tip, making it particularly nipple-like.  There is a deep matching yoni or navel underneath.  The upper half of the outer wall features multiple decorative bands.  On the bottom there are a few tiny inclusions. These manifest as raised pimples in the surface and are dust or grits present in the molten bronze mixture during the bowl’s manufacture and bare evidence to the primitive conditions under which it was forged.

This rare Lingam is believed to date from the early 1800s and is one of two similar bowls found together in Nepal, and it seems quite likely that they came from the same forge. The other bowl is a larger and heavier Bb4.

This bowl is in excellent structural condition with some light copper oxidization and is supplied uncleaned as found.  It has a golden bronze colour.

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

Note: Audio clips coming soon.