Damaru Ritual Tambourine, Tibet

This damaru ritual tambourine, or “skull tambourine” (thod-dar), consists of two skull caps covered with skins.
A silver hoop, set with turquoise and coral stones, surrounds the instrument. 
It is decorated with an elegant brocade of multicolored silk streamers and bangs. 
Late 19th century, Tibet 
Good condition.

“Some important religious writings, the tantras, mention the damaru and give some recommendations as to the type of materials to be used in its manufacture: for the cases, the combination of the skulls of a sixteen-year-old young man and a twelve-year-old fille, as well as monkey skin; as for the balls that whip the skins to make them resonate, it is advisable to make them from the bone of an aquatic bird and cover them with cloth.” The damaru tambourine and the rkang-gling horn, by Sylviane Bonvin Pochstein.