Tibetan Kangling Ritual Trumpet | Human Femur with Silver Fittings & Turquoise Inlay | Circa 19th–Early 20th Century
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Tibetan Kangling Ritual Trumpet | Human Femur with Silver Fittings & Turquoise Inlay | Circa 19th–Early 20th Century
Description
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Historical Context & Origin
Region: Tibet
Material: Human femur with silver-coloured metal fittings and turquoise-coloured insets
Period: Likely 19th–early 20th century
Description
A rare and ritually significant Tibetan kangling, or leg-bone trumpet, fashioned from a hollowed human femur and fitted with elaborate chased metalwork and turquoise-coloured insets. Kanglings are associated with Tibetan Buddhist chöd practice and related ritual traditions, where they serve as powerful reminders of mortality, impermanence and the relinquishing of attachment.
The narrow end is fitted with a decorated mouthpiece, while the broadened distal end terminates in two openings characteristic of the instrument. The ornate metalwork incorporates dragon and foliate designs, together with contrasting turquoise-coloured insets. Small suspension loops are integrated into the fittings and may have been used to secure or suspend the instrument.
Features
- Fashioned from a hollowed human femur
- Bone identification confirmed through physical anthropological inspection
- Ornate chased metal fittings with dragon and foliate decoration
- Turquoise-coloured insets incorporated into the terminal fittings
- Paired openings at the broadened distal end
- Small suspension loops incorporated into the metalwork
- Measures approximately 13.5 inches in length
Cultural Significance
In Tibetan Buddhist practice, the kangling is associated especially with chöd and with rituals involving protective or wrathful deities. Traditionally fashioned from human thigh bone, it serves as a material reminder of mortality, impermanence and the relinquishing of attachment.
Kanglings may be played alongside damaru drums and chanting as part of ritual performance. Their combination of human bone, elaborate metalwork and religious symbolism places them among the most distinctive ritual instruments associated with Himalayan Buddhist traditions.
Condition
Very good condition with an aged patina across the bone and metal fittings. Minor wear and surface accretions are consistent with the object’s age and handling. The visible turquoise-coloured insets remain intact, and the metal fittings appear stable. No modern restoration observed.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Length: 13.5 in
Age (Approximate)
105–225 years old
Provenance
Formerly held in a private collection in Beverly Hills, California, USA, for more than 20 years. Subsequently offered by International Auction Gallery, Anaheim, California, USA, on February 26, 2024, as Lot 608. The piece later entered a private collection in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Expert Assessment: Reviewed from detailed photographs by specialist Elizabeth Weiss, PhD, Professor Emerita of Anthropology. She identified the bone as a human femur.
Learn More
View a comparable Tibetan human-thighbone kangling at The British Museum
Learn more about Tibetan rkangling ritual instruments through The Metropolitan Museum of Art
View a 19th-century thighbone trumpet associated with chöd practice at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art
Explore related works including our Tibetan Kapala Skull Cup and Kapala Citipati Beads
Description
Historical Context & Origin
Region: Tibet
Material: Human femur with silver-coloured metal fittings and turquoise-coloured insets
Period: Likely 19th–early 20th century
Description
A rare and ritually significant Tibetan kangling, or leg-bone trumpet, fashioned from a hollowed human femur and fitted with elaborate chased metalwork and turquoise-coloured insets. Kanglings are associated with Tibetan Buddhist chöd practice and related ritual traditions, where they serve as powerful reminders of mortality, impermanence and the relinquishing of attachment.
The narrow end is fitted with a decorated mouthpiece, while the broadened distal end terminates in two openings characteristic of the instrument. The ornate metalwork incorporates dragon and foliate designs, together with contrasting turquoise-coloured insets. Small suspension loops are integrated into the fittings and may have been used to secure or suspend the instrument.
Features
- Fashioned from a hollowed human femur
- Bone identification confirmed through physical anthropological inspection
- Ornate chased metal fittings with dragon and foliate decoration
- Turquoise-coloured insets incorporated into the terminal fittings
- Paired openings at the broadened distal end
- Small suspension loops incorporated into the metalwork
- Measures approximately 13.5 inches in length
Cultural Significance
In Tibetan Buddhist practice, the kangling is associated especially with chöd and with rituals involving protective or wrathful deities. Traditionally fashioned from human thigh bone, it serves as a material reminder of mortality, impermanence and the relinquishing of attachment.
Kanglings may be played alongside damaru drums and chanting as part of ritual performance. Their combination of human bone, elaborate metalwork and religious symbolism places them among the most distinctive ritual instruments associated with Himalayan Buddhist traditions.
Condition
Very good condition with an aged patina across the bone and metal fittings. Minor wear and surface accretions are consistent with the object’s age and handling. The visible turquoise-coloured insets remain intact, and the metal fittings appear stable. No modern restoration observed.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Length: 13.5 in
Age (Approximate)
105–225 years old
Provenance
Formerly held in a private collection in Beverly Hills, California, USA, for more than 20 years. Subsequently offered by International Auction Gallery, Anaheim, California, USA, on February 26, 2024, as Lot 608. The piece later entered a private collection in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Expert Assessment: Reviewed from detailed photographs by specialist Elizabeth Weiss, PhD, Professor Emerita of Anthropology. She identified the bone as a human femur.
Learn More
View a comparable Tibetan human-thighbone kangling at The British Museum
Learn more about Tibetan rkangling ritual instruments through The Metropolitan Museum of Art
View a 19th-century thighbone trumpet associated with chöd practice at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art
Explore related works including our Tibetan Kapala Skull Cup and Kapala Citipati Beads
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