Discover the long history of singing bowls.
9th–12th c. Persian bronze bowls
The predecessors of early Himalayan singing bowls were similar decorative bronze bowls produced in ancient Persia and Khorasan. The metallurgy of the singing bowls has been shown to match the earlier Persian bowls, showing they were made by the same techniques. The same construction methods and decorative motifs were used in both. The main difference seems to be the ability of the Himalayan bowls to produce a beautiful sound.
Singing bowl origins
Ancient relatives
The predecessors to early Himalayan singing bowls were similar decorative bronze bowls produced in ancient Persia and Khorasan. The metallurgy has been shown to match as well as the construction methods and decorative motifs. The main difference seems to be the ability of the Himalayan bowls to produce a beautiful sound.
9th–12th century – Early singing bowls
The earliest singing bowls are known by their unique folded construction, decorative motifs and heavy oxidation. The early singing bowls were made differently than later singing bowls and the bowls of today. The rims were folded outward, forming a seam on the outside of the bowl near the top. After several hundred years, this fold begins to separate. The folded construction is considered a lost art.
11th–16th century – Late singing bowls
A second wave of singing bowls was discovered through metallurgical testing. The late singing bowls are closely related to similar bowls from Southeast Asia: Cambodia and Thailand. Late period singing bowls are not folded at the rim but were made by the same alloy, indicating some continuity in craft. More singing bowls were produced during this period by a large margin.
16th–19th century – Modern singing bowls
Singing bowls were made in small quantities until the beginning of the 21st century when they began to be made in larger numbers than ever. Hand‑hammered bronze bowls are still made today, using the same alloy and hammering techniques of the antique bowls. Most singing bowls produced today are mass‑produced brass bowls which lack the sonic and vibrational properties of the hammered bronze bowls.
2000–Today
The predecessors to early Himalayan singing bowls were similar decorative bronze bowls produced in ancient Persia and Khorasan. The metallurgy has been shown to match as well as the construction methods and decorative motifs.