Trumpet
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Trumpets such as this, made from human thighbones, were used in Tibet by wandering lamas of the Nyingma pa or ‘Old Order‘ in ceremonies of exorcism. They were also used by other Tibetan Buddhist orders in exorcistic monastic dances.
The custom of creating drinking vessels or musical instruments out of human bones was probably adopted by Tibetan Buddhists from contact with medieval India, where tantric practices flourished. Thighbones were blown on to call the 'dakinis', or female spirits, who were summoned to assist with ceremonies for expelling or controlling evil spirits.
The custom of creating drinking vessels or musical instruments out of human bones was probably adopted by Tibetan Buddhists from contact with medieval India, where tantric practices flourished. Thighbones were blown on to call the 'dakinis', or female spirits, who were summoned to assist with ceremonies for expelling or controlling evil spirits.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Human thigh bone with thong-stitched leather and brass |
| Brief description | Musical trumpet, human thighbone, leather, brass, Tibet, 19th century |
| Physical description | Thigh-bone trumpet covered with maroon leather, thong stitched, and mounted with a plain brass band at the mouth rim. At the mouth-piece is an undyed leather loop for passing over the wrist, and at the other end is a plaited leather whip. In the expanding Knuckle-end are two holes. Leather covering made to resemble Russia-leather. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Mrs Dora Creagh |
| Object history | Part of a collection of objects nos. IM.248 to 265 - 1916, previously owned by Capt. Aubrey Osborne Greagh, commander of British Trade Agents Escort, stationed at Gyantse, Tibet, 1909-1911. |
| Summary | Trumpets such as this, made from human thighbones, were used in Tibet by wandering lamas of the Nyingma pa or ‘Old Order‘ in ceremonies of exorcism. They were also used by other Tibetan Buddhist orders in exorcistic monastic dances. The custom of creating drinking vessels or musical instruments out of human bones was probably adopted by Tibetan Buddhists from contact with medieval India, where tantric practices flourished. Thighbones were blown on to call the 'dakinis', or female spirits, who were summoned to assist with ceremonies for expelling or controlling evil spirits. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.250-1916 |
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| Record created | November 8, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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