Oboe-like horns such as these were played in Tibet by monks in monasteries and temples during Buddhist ceremonies and at religious festivals. They were known as gyaling or suona. This particular example does have some age and most probably dates from the early to mid- 20^th century. The shaft is of hollowed wood with seven wind holes and is nicely decorated in repoussé white metal and inset with turquoise and coral coloured glass and cabochons. It still has its old paper labels from when it was bought decades ago. The mouthpiece is not complete, so does not fit tightly and as a consequence this gyaling cannot be used to play music but it is a very nice decorative Tibetan object.

Length: approximately 60cm, width: approximately 14.5cm, weight: