Lot 102
Southeast Asia, Burma (Myanmar), ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A huge, playable example of a bronze meditation nipple gong that hangs from a wood and rope framework. The circular instrument features a thick lateral rim, a relatively flat face, and a protruding central boss which the player would hit to create a drawn-out ringing sound. Included is a wooden mallet with a padded head wrapped in bright orange fabric. The surface is covered in matte brown patina, and the gong creates a pleasing ringing sound when struck with the mallet. The patina is deliberately left even when the gongs are being played, or is sometimes selectively cleaned away to create patterns, like the lotus flower seen here. Additional white pigment has also been added to the face of the gong with liberal remains of it forming a circle surrounding the lotus flower. Size: 25" W x 48" H (63.5 cm x 121.9 cm)
The shape of the Burmese gong is one of the most recognizable. They are normally made from bronze and have a prominent round boss sitting on a slightly convex curving face with the edge of the boss being slightly recessed. There is a prominent lip moving over to a gently inwardly sloping rim which is deep - usually 1.5" (3cm) to 5" (12cm) depending on the size of the gong. The oxidized layer is left on the metal and can either be slate grey, black or bottle green in color. The oxidized layer is often scraped to reveal various patterns, with lotus flower petals or star flower mandala patterns being the most common.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex Hawaii, USA collection, 2000
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#170973
- Condition: Slight dents and wear on surface of each gong from playing. Some light staining to cloth of mallet. Rope is all new; gong, mallet, and mahogany bar are original. Otherwise, intact, excellent, and playable with rich patina and liberal remains of pigment.
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