Rgya-Gling

Unknown

19th century · Copper, turquoise · Musical Instruments

Rgya-gling (shawm) may be used in temple orchestras or may alternate with dung-chens for the morning and evening calls from the monastery roof. Like other Tibetan wind instruments this double-reed example is played in pairs. The reed (not present) fits onto the thin metal tube (staple) atop the ornate metal pirouette (disk) that slips into the small end of the wooden tube. A monk takes the reed completely into his mouth and presses his lips against the disk provided above the pirouette's bulbous assemblage. Double-reed instruments like the European oboe used two reeds that are secured at their bases to produce a loud, penetrating and "nasal" sound.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Copper, turquoise

Culture

Tibetan

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889