Authentic “gorgeous form” Large (17 inches) 19th to early 20th century Tibetan ritualistic Buddhist trumpet. Brass dragon or Makara dbang dung trumpet shaped, featuring bell ends shaped as mythical makara heads. Displays as a thicker brass body with repousse foliate brass fittings over the mouthpiece, encircling the center, and forming the Makara’s head, which is inlaid with coral as eyes. This ornate trumpet played in processions and in private rituals to accompany dancing and chanting. Size: 17″ L x 4″ H (43.3 cm x 10.2 cm)

The Makara (“sea dragon” or “water monster” in Sanskrit) is the pet and Vahana (vehicle) of the river goddess Ganga of Hindu mythology, who personifies the purity and piety of the Ganges River (the most sacred river of Hindu mythology) and purportedly descends to earth to rinse away humankind’s sins. A row of Makara is typically featured on the exteriors of Hindu temples, running along a wall or serving as a handrail. As a vahana (“that which pulls”), the Makara is sometimes depicted mounted by a deity, at the deity’s side, or as a symbolic attribute of the deity, in this case it would be Ganga. Makara are often depicted with the frontal part as an elephant or other terrestrial animal Here he is portrayed with bulging eyes, two antlers, curling mane, and rows of sharp teeth.