Unique Antique Lingam Singing Bowl – Percussive Self-Amplifying Eb4

This extraordinary one-of-a-kind antique Lingam Singing Bowl’s unique shape must surely relate to a special function, although I can only guess at what that might be.  It certainly has interesting sonic qualities, but perhaps it also served as a sacred, ritual, or ceremonial vessel.

It is best held on the flat palm of one hand and struck on the rim with a padded mallet in the other, when it produces a rather haunting self-amplifying middle octave Eb4 (308.5Hz) that is close to perfect pitch.  It is best struck repetitively; allowing the sound to build up.  There is no rim play with a suede ringer, but with a little effort a wooden one produces a sixth octave A6 (1727Hz). 

It’s interesting to note that there are no historical records on how bowls should be struck or played (singly or repeatedly or rythmically struck, played continuously around the rim, together in pairs or groups, etc).  However, it is extremely likely that bowls such as this were designed to be percussive instruments.

Weighing well over 1 ½ kilos (3 lb 7 oz) this unique bowl is thick and heavy.  It would have been extremely difficult to make and hammer into shape, and yet it has been beautifully and perfectly forged. 

It has a very unusual flanged lip with a downward sloping and grooved rim that is much smaller in diameter than the shoulder which is widest at the bowl’s midpoint, and then slopes inward to a gently rounded bottom.  There are decorative lines around the inside of the rim and another pair on the bowls outer shoulder.   The pronounced lingam at its centre is surrounded and defined by two sets of circles, matched by a deep navel or yoni underneath.

The condition of this bowl is exceptional, clean and stain-free.  It has a fabulous antique bronze colour with an aged patina.

This bowl is believed to date from the 1800s and is without doubt one of the rarest and most interesting singing bowls in my entire collection.  All antique lingam singing bowls are rare and collectable, and this one’s unique shape and sonic qualities make it even more so!

A padded striker is included in the price.

Note: Audio clips coming soon.