Tibetan Shell Trumpet with Gilded Copper Mounts

This ‘conch’ trumpet has mounts of embossed and chased copper sheet with parcel gilding.

The gilt and copper flange is decorated with a dragon with a long, scaly body, amid scrolling foliage and clouds interspersed the Ashtamangala or Eight Auspicious Buddhist Symbols.

The dragon, the Auspicious Symbols, and some flower motifs are highlighted with gold.

The elaborate mouthpiece comprises several tiers of lotus petals, together with flower motifs highlighted with gold.

The reverse of the flange is chased with flowers, a double vajra motif with a central mantra syllable of Tibetan script, and a large , elaborate Kalachakra symbol featuring the all-powerful ten mantra syllables.

Such shells usually are referred to as conch trumpets but the shells used are not conch shells but chank shells (Turbinella pyrum). 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).  Conch shell trumpets have a long history and their use in Tibetan Buddhism has its origins in ancient India.

Conch trumpets such as this example were made either in Tibet, or in Nepal, either for the local or Tibetan market. A similar example is illustrated in Pal (1969, p. 126).

The conch trumpet here is in fine condition. It has clear age.