A MONGOLIAN COPPER TRUMPET, DUNG-CHEN, 19TH-20TH CENTURY

The large copper instrument is modelled in a tapering form, leading to a large flared bell on one end and a small everted mouthpiece on the other. The proximal section is decorated with three brass phalanges of varying lengths, and the body of the trumpet is decorated with raised brass rings decorated in repoussé with flowers, lanca characters, confronting dragons chasing flaming pearls, and ruyi heads. The distal end of the trumpet is fashioned with a hanging ring. 70.5 cm.

Catalogue notes: This very large trumpet would have been one of a pair. Trumpets such as these would have been used in monasteries during prayers in the main hall or during festivals.

This is one of the instruments which accompanies the Tsam dances. A Tsam ceremony was held at the beginning of the year to exorcise evil. It consisted of a series of masked dances and often included narrative content. Monasteries in Mongolia would have been very similar to those in Tibet, with elements such as big prayer halls and special altar rooms filled with statues, thangka paintings, and altars with various offerings. Buddhist rituals would be accompanied by musical instruments like the trumpet, drum, or bell.

For a pair of dung-chen dated as possibly from the 19th century, see the Horniman Museum, London, 1957.258 and US 563.