Description:

Asian Art. Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 19th century CE. An absolutely stunning example of a kangling, literally translated as a "leg flute," a trumpet carved from a human femur. Silver sheet surrounds the ends of the bone, which has been shaped and cut to form a long tube with the patellar groove still present. The end of the tube forms the mouthpiece while the patellar groove has been hollowed out to form a double bell. The silver sheet over both ends is intricately decorated, with relief zoomorphic and floral motifs and inlays of one piece of orange and white coral and four pieces of malachite. The bone, meanwhile, has relief motifs of dragons and/or other fantastical beasts. Still playable! Size: 2.9" L x 2.6" W x 14.2" H (7.4 cm x 6.6 cm x 36.1 cm)

The kangling makes a wailing, eerie sound, meant to create an otherworldly atmosphere during the Chod ritual of the Nyingma and Kagyu Buddhist rituals. The person playing the kangling does so as a gesture of fearlessness.

Provenance: private Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection

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#126599

  • Condition: Excellent patina from age and handling, especially on the bone. Small puncture to silver sheet near the widest end. One of the pieces of malachite has a slight chip.

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August 31, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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