A ‘damaru’ hand drum, of the type wandering Tibetan monks play with their right hand during their Tantric prayers, recitations and songs. During this, they hold a ‘ghanta’ ceremonial bell in their left hand.
The present damaru drum consists of two blackish brown hemispheric wooden bowls, joined in their centre to form an hourglass shape. The drumhead on both sides is made of leather, one side light-coloured, the other dyed green. The strap for holding and carrying runs around the middle, which also has two strings with pierced seeds at their ends attached to it.
The player holds the drum upright by its holding strap, while the player’s thumb and index finger support the instrument in position.
By moving the hand back and forth, the seeds hit both drumheads, making a noise. The carrying and holding strap is attached to a typical long pendant.
This consists of three layers of red and blue brocade (silk). Both of the red outer sides are edged with blue and white borders, and embroidered with the eight Tibetan good luck symbols. Additionally, the pendant is decorated with eleven long black tassels.
A complete Tibetan sacred object with a good, old, slightly ‘speckled’ usage patina to the textile holding strap. No damage.
Height: 7 cm (the drum);
Diameter: c. 10 cm (the drumheads); length: c. 100 cm (with pendants). First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian private collection.