Tibet, Nepal
Tibetan and Nepalese

Metal, wood, cloth
19th century
Diameter: 7 in; Height: 3.75 in; Rim: 6.75 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 Mani type is rare.  It has thick walls, flat bottom and is wider in the middle than at the bottom or lip.  The smooth broad rim is very easy to play with a ringing stick.  There are decorative markings such as lines encircling just below the rim, though faint due to wear.  Mani singing bowls generally are dated from the late 16^th to the 19th century. Contrary to the belief that heavier singing bowls are lower in tone, the Mani bowl is very high in tone that rings in the 5^th octave or higher.