Tibet, Nepal
Tibetan and Nepalese

Metal, wood, cloth
Early 20th century
Diameter: 7.5 in; Height: 3 in; Rim: 6.5 in
Idiophones – Struck Idiophones – Bells

Tibetan singing bowls (also known as Himalayan bowls) are an inverted bell, supported from below with the rim uppermost. Such bells are normally bowl-shaped and exist in a wide range of sizes. They are often played by striking, but some known as singing bowls, may also be played by rotating a mallet around the outside rim to produce a sustained musical note.  Buddhist monks have long used the Tibetan singing bowls to accompany meditation and chanting.  In addition, some wellness practitioners (including music therapists, massage therapists, and yoga therapists) use Tibetan singing bowls during treatment. These singing bowls originated in China from an early form of bell called nao, that were played with the mouth facing upward.

This singing bowl is known as the lingam (lingham) type.  The lingam refers to male principles sometimes embodied as the Hindu god Shiva and is most likely made for ritual purposes. This bowl has a protrusion of metal in the center and a dollop of metal added on the bottom.  The most common style of lingam bowls are the manipuri (original singing bowls). The name Manipuri comes from a state in Northeastern India, known as the center of production for brass objects.