Pair of Tibetan Silver Ritual Trumpets (Kangling)

Ritual music in Tibet was a powerful component in all ceremonies and an important tool in summoning spirits. Musical instruments also served as an aid for chanting. Temple musical instruments were restricted to drums, trumpets and cymbals. Temple trumpets were always used in pairs. The sound was made solely by the player’s lips vibrating against the mouthpiece; there are no finger holes.

This fine pair of 19th century silver trumpets were used by monks in temples and monasteries as part of their rituals. Each has an elegant curve and yet is ‘telescopic’ in that the bodies collapse down to become a much shorter length, telescope-like. The form however, is based on a traditional Tibetan trumpet made of a human thigh bone.

Made from high-grade silver sheet, each is pierced, chased and engraved. Each has a wide, flat mouthpiece, a thin, reed-like stem, a broader section, and then a wider, flared, flattened mouth both of which are chased with variants of dragons amid Himalayan scrolls and stylised cloud motifs. One also has a longevity vase set with two coral and a turquoise cabochons.

Each has two flattened, spherical sections that are pierced and decorated with flower motifs. Each also retains its original silver suspension chain.

Similar pairs are illustrated in Reynolds (1999, p. 161), and Ghose (2016, p. 95).

The two here are not identical but are very similar and clearly have always intended to function as a pair.

The two have a fine patina. There is some light, use-related denting but overall, are in very fine condition.