The Singing Bowl Museum collection is divided by multiple bowl types, each made by a different workshop or different time.
As evidenced in the handicrafts produced today and historically, the bowl making would have been done by one group of artisans and the engraved designs on the bowls done by another group.
However, in many cases there is a direct correlation between the type of bowl and the decorations found on that type of singing bowl. The triangle pattern is always found on the same type of bowl. The circle and dot pattern is always found on another type of bowl. There is no carryover from one type to another, so the bowl makers either had an "in house" engraver or a very close relationship with the engraver.
Another possibility which is supported by the bowls is that each type of bowl was produced in a different time period, so the bowl maker and engraver would have been from subsequent generations. Each generation may have had their close relationship which gives us a high degree of consistency.
In face, the small number of bowls indicates that they were made in one place for a long period of time, with one style dominating for each period, indicating a master artisan who led the way and produced most of the bowls for his generation.
Today such a system is still in place, with all the hand hammered singing bowls produced in just a few villages. Historically, as today, there would have been periods of more of fewer makers to meet the demand.
In my years of traveling to Nepal, I searched for certain types of bowls which were much better than others. One type of bowl always had very similar engravings. The bowl was always the same and the engravings also vary little. I call them the "special engraved bowls."
While photographing them for display in The Singing Bowl Museum, I noticed variations in the engravings. They were made with different tools: there is a triangular tool, an elliptical tool, a square tool, a round tool and what seems to be a knife. Was it one engraver with several tools or a workshop of engravers working together? Did they do the engraving to order, meeting the preferences of their customers?
The variations are interesting and a symbolic language seems to be part of the engravings. Overt symbols are found like waves and flowers. However, more subtle symbols are implied including earth and sky as well as Buddhist iconography, if I'm not stretching my interpretation too far.
The bowls themselves are among the finest made, with beautiful symmetry and a thick wall that makes for a stronger, more steady and long ringing tone. The vibration can really be felt and they are among the best to use for healing work due to the smooth yet strong feeling.
The special engraved bowls are truly special. Use search terms like "special engraved," "triangle," or just "engraving." They're numbered together M001-M044 and more will be added to the small collection later.
Here are a few photos of the Special Engraved singing bowls at The Singing Bowl Museum:
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