Offering Bowls (Ting) – Buddhist Ritual Object with Filigree

These seven offering bowls, ting, form part of the established furnishings of Buddhist altars in the Himalayan region. They are arranged as a complete set in monastic settings as well as in household shrines.

Offering bowls, ting, as set of seven. The bowls are worked in filigree, silver- and gold-plated and set with colored stones. The ting belong to the established furnishings of Buddhist altars in the Himalayan region, found in monastic settings as well as in house shrines.

Each of the seven bowls represents a symbolic offering to an honored guest. The sequence comprises water for drinking, water for washing the feet, flowers, incense, a lamp as a symbol of wisdom, scented water, and food. Taken together, the bowls refer to a transmitted order of ritual offerings within Buddhist practice.

The bowl stands on a flared pedestal foot with a flat circular base. It is worked in filigree. Thin wire is bent into spirals, filled with small arched elements, and joined in an ornamental pattern. Colored stones are set within the filigree as floral accents.

The ting follow iconographic conventions of Vajrayana art in the Kathmandu Valley, in which form, symbolic meaning, and ornament are brought together in a balanced composition.

Offering bowls

Made of copper, decorated with filigree embellishments, silver-plated and gold-plated, set with colored stones. Finished with red vermilion powder. Handcrafted in Nepal.

• Heights: 3.5" / 8.5 cm (each)
• Diameters: 5" / 13 cm (each)
• Weight: 2.022 g (7 pieces)