Conch Shell (Shankha) – Buddhist Ritual Object with Filigree

Shankha, the Buddhist conch shell, known in Tibetan as dung kar, symbolically represents the Buddha’s teaching and is used as a ritual instrument in the Himalayan region.

The conch shell stands upright in a round copper stand, with the mouthpiece oriented upward.

The surface of the shell is engraved with the depiction of the Medicine Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru. The engraved lines are recessed with a dark patina. The conch shell is mounted in copper and decorated with filigree. A scarf-like ornamental element surrounds the shell and is worked with fine filigree ornamentation. Fine wires are shaped into spiral forms and filled with small curved elements. Floral motifs are arranged between the spirals.

Both the conch shell setting and the round stand are encircled by bands of set stones. The stand is additionally finished with a surrounding border of stylized lotus leaves.

The conch shell combines traditional iconography with fine filigree work within the context of Buddhist art.

Shankha

Conch shell carved, copper stand, decorated with fine filigree, silver-plated, set with colored stones. The object is patinated. Handmade in Nepal.

• Height: 10" / 26 cm
• Width: 9" / 23 cm
• Depth: 5.5" / 13 cm
• Weight: 895 g