Conch shell trumpet

In Buddhist temples in Tibet and China, the conch was used to call the monks to services, and were usually decorated with textile streamers. This conch trumpet is a very fine example of the brilliant colours and intricate workmanship of Tibet. The shell is mounted with a gilt copper mouthpiece. The other end is elongated for decorative purposes, allowing the attachment of a stylized metal pennant. A very lively gilt copper dragon stands in high relief against a background of clouds. The scales of his body and tail have applied semi-precious stones, and the end of his tail is a flame. Each claw holds a metal conch shell.From the fourteenth century onwards, China was greatly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, and objects used in Buddhist rituals reflected this. The monk's cap ewer, similar to a Tibetan monk's cap, the conch and the kundika (water sprinkler) are examples of forms adopted for Chinese Buddhist practices.