GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The white conch shell, usually decorated with ribbons, precious beads, and a silver mount inlaid with gemstones, is a ritual musical instrument in Tibetan Buddhism. Blowing the conch shell produces an otherworldly sound. While similar conch shells were used in India to initiate battle, like a war trumpet, this conch shell was used in high-level initiations of Buddhist monks. The relief figures on the silver mount represent bodhisattvas and other Buddhist holy figures.
Excerpt from
- Anne Bromberg, Label text, All the World's a Stage: Celebrating Performance in the Visual Arts, 2009.
NOTES
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Tibetan Buddhism: AAT: 300265647
Geography
Tibet: TGN: 7001319
Process/materials
conch (shell): AAT: 300210304
coral (material): AAT: 300011800
jade (rock): AAT: 300011119
silver (metal): AAT: 300011029
turquoise (mineral): AAT: 300011164
relief (sculpture techniques): AAT: 300053622
silk (textile): AAT: 300243428
Historical periods
nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513
Individuals
Subject terms
Bodhisattva: AAT: 300264360
Buddhism: AAT: 300073738
ceremonial sound devices: AAT: 300312157
ceremonies: AAT: 300054754
conch (shell): AAT: 300210304
fish (animals): AAT: 300266085
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
initiations (rites of passage): AAT: 300069180
meditation: AAT: 300264363
monks: AAT: 300025765
musical instruments: AAT: 300041620
religious objects: AAT: 300234098
sound devices (equipment): AAT: 300387677
Tibetan Buddhism: AAT: 300265647
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 2009: David T. Owsley, New York City
2009: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of David T. Owsley via the Alconda-Owsley Foundation
The main source for this provenance is the deed of gift dated May 18, 2009, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records object file.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 2009.15.2
Category
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General Description
The white conch shell, usually decorated with ribbons, precious beads, and a silver mount inlaid with gemstones, is a ritual musical instrument in Tibetan Buddhism. Blowing the conch shell produces an otherworldly sound. While similar conch shells were used in India to initiate battle, like a war trumpet, this conch shell was used in high-level initiations of Buddhist monks. The relief figures on the silver mount represent bodhisattvas and other Buddhist holy figures.
Excerpt from
- Anne Bromberg, Label text, All the World's a Stage: Celebrating Performance in the Visual Arts, 2009.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Tibetan Buddhism: AAT: 300265647
Geography
Tibet: TGN: 7001319
Process/materials
conch (shell): AAT: 300210304
coral (material): AAT: 300011800
jade (rock): AAT: 300011119
silver (metal): AAT: 300011029
turquoise (mineral): AAT: 300011164
relief (sculpture techniques): AAT: 300053622
silk (textile): AAT: 300243428
Historical periods
nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513
Individuals
Subject terms
Bodhisattva: AAT: 300264360
Buddhism: AAT: 300073738
ceremonial sound devices: AAT: 300312157
ceremonies: AAT: 300054754
conch (shell): AAT: 300210304
fish (animals): AAT: 300266085
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
initiations (rites of passage): AAT: 300069180
meditation: AAT: 300264363
monks: AAT: 300025765
musical instruments: AAT: 300041620
religious objects: AAT: 300234098
sound devices (equipment): AAT: 300387677
Tibetan Buddhism: AAT: 300265647
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 2009: David T. Owsley, New York City
2009: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of David T. Owsley via the Alconda-Owsley Foundation
The main source for this provenance is the deed of gift dated May 18, 2009, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records object file.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
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2009.15.2
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object_notes_2_b-0180.xml.nores