Date:19th century Geography:Tibet Culture:Tibetan Medium:Copper, coral, stones Dimensions:L. 36.8cm (14 1/2in.) Classification:Aerophone-Lip Vibrated-trumpet / trombone Credit Line:Gift of Miss Alice Getty, 1946 Accession Number:46.34.70 The thighbone of a lama priest is the original form of the metal trumpets in this case. A single rkang-gling ('leg bone flute') is used with a pellet drum to escape epidemics. Pairs signal the entry of ritual dancers, and perform rituals connected with fierce deities. The head of a chu-srin (Sanskrit: makara), a sea monster or a dragon, often provides a decorative metalwork bell. When the rkang-gling is made of metal, bosses decorated with trefoils cover the joints where the sections of cooper and/or silver tube are joined. The trefoil, a three cusped design, is an emblem of power and authority and is used as the head of a scepter. The chu-srin and dragon are associated with water and rain and may decorate the rkang-gling.
Date:19th century Geography:Tibet Culture:Tibetan Medium:Copper, coral, stones Dimensions:L. 36.8cm (14 1/2in.) Classification:Aerophone-Lip Vibrated-trumpet / trombone Credit Line:Gift of Miss Alice Getty, 1946 Accession Number:46.34.70 The thighbone of a lama priest is the original form of the metal trumpets in this case. A single rkang-gling ('leg bone flute') is used with a pellet drum to escape epidemics. Pairs signal the entry of ritual dancers, and perform rituals connected with fierce deities. The head of a chu-srin (Sanskrit: makara), a sea monster or a dragon, often provides a decorative metalwork bell. When the rkang-gling is made of metal, bosses decorated with trefoils cover the joints where the sections of cooper and/or silver tube are joined. The trefoil, a three cusped design, is an emblem of power and authority and is used as the head of a scepter. The chu-srin and dragon are associated with water and rain and may decorate the rkang-gling.