Ancient Tibetan Ritual Buddhist Conch Trumpet

Ritual trumpets made from seashells play an important role in Tibetan Buddhism, and this is the oldest example we have seen. Decorated with simple, carved, parallel lines, it has the most extraordinary patina from age, use and handling, and dates to around the 14th century.

Such instruments usually are referred to as conch trumpets but the shells used are not conch shells, but chank shells (Turbinella pyrum) usually sourced from the Bay of Bengal and then traded into Tibet from India.

The shell has been converted into a trumpet or horn with the removal of the end of the point to provide a blowing hole.

Such shells are important ritual objects in Tibetan Buddhism. They are used as ceremonial trumpets in prayer rituals, to summon monks to prayer, to summon spirits as well, and to invoke rain and water (Reynolds, 1978, p. 80.) As such, they were important, ritual objects and were among the most important possessions of a Tibetan monastery.

Overall, this is an astonishing example with extraordinary patina. The surface is crazed and has become brown and mottled from age and handling in a manner unlike any other that we have seen. Almost certainly it was used for centuries in a Tibetan monastery to summon monks and spirits, where it developed its deep patina.