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Thighbone Trumpet
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Blown during tantric Buddhist rituals, this ritual instrument is made of bone to remind practitioners of the impermanence of the corporeal body. The horn is sounded to clear away obstacles to enlightenment, conceived as enemies in battle.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineThighbone Trumpet, c. 1800. Tibet. Bone, leather, and copper alloy; overall: 7 cm (2 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Charles G. King Jr. collection; Gift of Ralph King in memory of Charles G. King Jr., 1918.389
