Decorative ornament - Nepal - Ritual conch and money.
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Ritual conch mounted in silver (dungkar) from Nepal, dating to about 1950–1960, 19 cm long, 9 cm at its widest, and weighing 540 g, in good condition with some wear and age-related staining.
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Description from the seller
This natural marine conch, probably a gastropod of the genus Turbinella or Charonia, has both ends fitted with a repoussé and chased silver mount. The broad aperture of the shell is ringed by a band of silver adorned with a dense floral pattern, while the slender, fully silver-gilt tip is worked with successive registers blending geometric Greek-key motifs, lotus-petal friezes, and stylized figures. A small hole drilled at the summit allows the breath to pass through, turning the shell into a wind instrument.
This object belongs to the tradition of Tibetan and Himalayan ritual conches, known in Tibetan as dungkar and in Sanskrit as shankha. The conch is among the eight auspicious symbols, ashtamangala, of Buddhism, where it represents the deep, universal sound of the Dharma, the Buddha’s teaching intended to awaken beings from ignorance and to propagate in all directions like the sound of the instrument itself. Right-handed coiled shells, rarer in nature than left-handed ones, are particularly revered and regarded as omens of good fortune.
Functionally, the mounted conch served as a liturgical wind instrument, blown during monastic ceremonies to mark the beginning and end of rituals, accompany processions, or announce certain moments of collective liturgy. In more domestic use, it could also serve as a vessel of ablution water used for purificatory sprinkles. The silver mount is not merely decorative: it protects the natural shell, enhances its precious character, and places it among richly adorned ritual objects found on Tibetan altars, alongside bells, vajras, and damaru drums.
From the perspective of the history of Himalayan arts, this type of mount, often made by Newar artisans from the Kathmandu Valley renowned for their mastery of silverwork, illustrates the permeability between Tibetan Buddhism and Nepalese Hinduism, two religious traditions that share many symbols and workshops.
19 cm long x 9 cm at the widest. Total weight: 540 g. Patina of time on the silver and the shell.
This natural marine conch, probably a gastropod of the genus Turbinella or Charonia, has both ends fitted with a repoussé and chased silver mount. The broad aperture of the shell is ringed by a band of silver adorned with a dense floral pattern, while the slender, fully silver-gilt tip is worked with successive registers blending geometric Greek-key motifs, lotus-petal friezes, and stylized figures. A small hole drilled at the summit allows the breath to pass through, turning the shell into a wind instrument.
This object belongs to the tradition of Tibetan and Himalayan ritual conches, known in Tibetan as dungkar and in Sanskrit as shankha. The conch is among the eight auspicious symbols, ashtamangala, of Buddhism, where it represents the deep, universal sound of the Dharma, the Buddha’s teaching intended to awaken beings from ignorance and to propagate in all directions like the sound of the instrument itself. Right-handed coiled shells, rarer in nature than left-handed ones, are particularly revered and regarded as omens of good fortune.
Functionally, the mounted conch served as a liturgical wind instrument, blown during monastic ceremonies to mark the beginning and end of rituals, accompany processions, or announce certain moments of collective liturgy. In more domestic use, it could also serve as a vessel of ablution water used for purificatory sprinkles. The silver mount is not merely decorative: it protects the natural shell, enhances its precious character, and places it among richly adorned ritual objects found on Tibetan altars, alongside bells, vajras, and damaru drums.
From the perspective of the history of Himalayan arts, this type of mount, often made by Newar artisans from the Kathmandu Valley renowned for their mastery of silverwork, illustrates the permeability between Tibetan Buddhism and Nepalese Hinduism, two religious traditions that share many symbols and workshops.
19 cm long x 9 cm at the widest. Total weight: 540 g. Patina of time on the silver and the shell.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Gross weight
540 g
Title additional information
Ritual conch and money.
Material
Shell, Silver
Country of origin
Nepal
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
19 cm
Width
9 cm
Depth
9 cm
Estimated period
1950-1960
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