Thighbone Trumpet
c. 1800
Maker Unknown
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Thighbone Trumpet, c. 1800. Tibet. Bone, leather, and copper alloy; overall: 7 cm (2 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Charles G. King, Jr. Collection. Gift of Ralph King in memory of Charles G. King, Jr. 1918.389 Blown during tantric Buddhist rituals, this ritual instrument is made of bone to remind practitioners of the impermanence of the corporeal body. The horn is sounded to clear away obstacles to enlightenment, conceived as enemies in battle. Tantric ritual trumpets are traditionally made from human femurs, but now they can be made from plastic, metal, or other materials.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Musical Instrument
- Formatted Medium
- bone, leather, and copper alloy
- Dimensions
- Overall: 7 cm (2 3/4 in.)
- Departments
- Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Accession Number
- 1918.389
- Credit Line
- The Charles G. King, Jr. Collection. Gift of Ralph King in memory of Charles G. King, Jr.
- Exhibitions
- What in the World
- Rights Statement
- CC0
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