1285-A Rare Antique Tibetan Buddhist Bone Ritual Object Damru Drum

The Damru or drum is an essential ritual object in Tantric Buddhism practiced in Tibet and other Himalayan states.

This Damru is most probably made of yak bone and embellished with silver filigree work, coral, turquoise and perhaps crystal glass.

The sheaths are made of animal skin and the beads that produce the sound appear to be made of wood.

The filigree silver trimmings have been well burnished with use over the decades.

The two halves are asymmetrical and unequal in size probably due to the character of the material being worked upon.

Has a silk brocade sash used to cover the central portion.

Estimated to be from the  1800s

7.5 / 8.5 cm diameter & 12 cm long approximately

Very rare object.

 History of this piece: Tibetan pilgrims offer these prayer wheels at monasteries as a token of worship. These offerings are then auctioned sometimes. This and the other prayer wheel 1288 and a few other items were acquired in such an auction.

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This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily may be present on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.

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