Thighbone Trumpet
1700–1820
- Medium
- bone, leather, and copper alloy
- Dimensions
- Overall: 7 cm (2 3/4 in.)
- Genre
- Musical instrument
- Museum
- Cleveland Museum of Art
Tags
Tibet
About
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.