Description:

Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A fascinating and macabre beautiful example of a kangling, literally translated as a "leg flute," a trumpet carved from a human femur with silver and stone embellishments. The sterling silver sheets are molded around the ends of the bone to form the mouthpiece and note holes, the surfaces decorated with repousse motifs: infinity knots, animals, religious figures, and incised foliate shapes. A braided leather strap is attached to integral rings on both ends, and inlaid on the joint end are turquoise, enamel, and coral cabochons set within bezels. The kangling makes an eerie wailing sound, meant to create an otherworldly atmosphere during the Chod ritual of the Nyingma and Kagyu Buddhist rituals; the kangling player does this as a gesture of fearlessness. Size: 13" L x 3" W (33 cm x 7.6 cm); silver quality: 95.2%; weight: 453 grams

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#173188

  • Condition: Heavy patina on bone, black striations, Area of green patina on silver mouthpiece end. Dark toning and patina throughout. Chips to inlaid stones. Rubbing to repousse. Not tested for playing functionality.

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September 1, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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