Conch shell

The white conch shell, usually decorated with ribbons, precious beads, and a silver mount inlaid with gemstones, is a ritual musical instrument in Tibetan Buddhism. Blowing the conch shell produces an otherworldly sound. While similar conch shells were used in India to initiate battle, like a war trumpet, this conch shell was used in high-level initiations of Buddhist monks. The relief figures on the silver mount represent bodhisattvas and other Buddhist holy figures.