Shell Trumpet (Dung Dkar)
ClassificationsTools and Equipment-musical instruments-trumpets
Date18th to 19th Century
Made AtTibet Autonomous Region, China, Asia
MediumShell
Dimensions16 × 8 1/2 × 7 in. (40.6 × 21.6 × 17.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih
Object number2021.8.9
DescriptionThis object is a Tibetan shell trumpet or a Dung Dkar. These instruments are used by monks at ceremonies, to summon monks to prayer, and to summon spirits. Because it originates from the ocean, it is also associated with water, and is used in rituals having to do with summoning rains or dispelling hail. In Tibetan Buddhism they are one of the “Eight Treasures” and represent the sound of the Dharma or the voice of Sakyamuni Buddha preaching the Dharma. In general, these trumpets are worked in several ways: either the shell itself may be carved or they can be adorned with an ornate silver fitting. In many cases the designs on dung dkar are religious, depicting Buddhist scenes or figures. This particular trumpet is unadorned, but has some holes drilled into the narrower end, indicating further decoration that may have been lost or incomplete. Trumpets such as this one which spiral to the right are considered to be especially rare and valuable.On View
Not on viewCollections
18th to 19th Century
20th Century
late 19th to early 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
1956-1959
19th to 20th Century
20th Century
19th to 20th Century