Dolphin Sound Antique Singing Bowl

• When water meets vibration. Dolphin Sound Singing Bowls are a rare type of antique Thadobati bowl known for their ability to create a unique, aquatic tone when a small amount of water is added inside. The sound ripples and bends — often compared to a dolphin's call.
• These bowls bring an entirely new dimension to the experience of sound— each carrying all the depth and resonance of an antique singing bowl with the added movement and life of water.
• No two bowls will ever sound the same, and that's what makes them special. As you learn to play and connect with your bowl, the sound becomes unique yours — changing and deepening with your touch and intention.

Our Story

The first time we heard this sound was in Kathmandu during a 2019 visit to our longtime friend and partner. After exploring his workshop, he offered us a sound bath in a room filled with antique bowls and gongs. The sound of one bowl stopped us in our tracks — an antique dolphin sound singing bowl.

He explained that this sound is incredibly uncommon — it happen only in certain bowls with a thinner base that allows the vibrations to move the water in a specific way. This year, we asked him to search through his collection to find others like it. Out of dozens of antique bowls, our friend discovered only fourteen capable of producing this sound. From those, we hand-selected nine to share with the DharmaShop community. Each one is antique, one-of-a-kind, and carries it's own tone, patina, and character.

How to Play

To bring out the dolphin sound, start by filling your bowl with a small amount of water — about one-quarter full is a good place to begin. Experiment as you play; even small changes in water level can completely shift the tone.

We've found that singing along the upper rim of the bowl and letting vibration build in the water helps bring the sound forward. You can use either side of your mallet, but sometimes switching to the wood side produces a slightly higher pitch that enhances the dolphin tone. Gently sway or tilt the bowl so the water moves back and forth, adding motion to the vibration that helps release the dolphin-like sound.

Take your time. Each bowl reacts differently. Finding the way it sings best for you is part of the process — a conversation and meditation between you and your bowl.

Sound:

The sound recording features three ways to play: striking with our Handcrafted Red Wool Mallet, followed by singing the rim, and ends with creating the dolphin tone by gently moving the bowl.

Size:

Bowls are ~6.25-7.5" in diameter.

Includes:

Your bowl will come with a wood and suede striker and DharmaShop keepsake bag. Cushions sold separately.

Pair it with our Thadobati Singing Bowl Healing Incense for a full sensory experience through sound and scent!