The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 29, 2024

Thighbone Trumpet

Thighbone Trumpet

c. 1800
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

Tantric ritual trumpets are traditionally made from human femurs, but now they can be made from plastic, metal, or other materials.

Description

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.
  • ?-1918
    Ralph King [1855-1926], Cleveland Heights, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1918-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • "Accessions." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 5, no. 8/9 (1918): 82-85. Mentioned: p. 82 www.jstor.org
    D. S. M. "Exhibition of Musical Instruments." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 8, no. 9 (1921): 134-43. Mentioned: pp. 134-137 www.jstor.org
  • What in the World. University Museum, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (organizer) (March 1-October 1, 1960).
  • {{cite web|title=Thighbone Trumpet|url=false|author=|year=c. 1800|access-date=29 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1918.389